On social media, many viewers stuned after a Pope Leo XIV promises to maintain an active social media presence to engage with the global Catholic community.
Pope Leo XIV has promised to increase his social media activity as part of his duties as the new pope.
This is notable because just before his papacy, he used his personal X account to criticize President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Social media has become a vital tool for popes. They now use it to communicate with millions worldwide.
Pope Leo XIV emphasizes digital engagement as central to his mission
Pope Leo promises that social media will be a key platform for his communication and outreach efforts
The Catholic Church has embraced social media, with platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok now central to its messaging.
Additionally, Popes Benedict XVI and Francis pioneered digital outreach by starting official Vatican accounts in 2012 and later.
Pope Francis frequently uses social media to share prayer intentions.
Officials say he will regularly post updates and spiritual messages to followers around the world.
His approach signals a new era where popes must be present not only at the altar—but also in the algorithm.
Pope Leo XIV shared messages of peace and unity globally
Pope Leo’s first official post as pontiff came on May 13 and included 17 photos capturing his early days in office.
The caption shared a message of peace.
He wrote: “Peace be with you all! This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd,” the caption reads.
“I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation throughout the world.”
He urged this peace to reach families and nations worldwide, highlighting unity in diversity.
The same message appeared on his official X account.
It was posted alongside an address to the Jubilee of Oriental Churches participants
Pope Leo used social media to criticize the views of Donald Trump and JD Vance
Unlike some predecessors, Pope Leo was active on social media before becoming pope.
Previously, he openly criticized Vice President JD Vance’s ‘tiered ranking’ of love on his personal X account.
Previously, Leo criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is the most prominent Catholic figure in American politics after converting to Catholicism.
In early February, Leo shared an article from a Catholic publication titled, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Vance discussed critiques of the Trump administration’s immigration policies in a Fox News interview. The article followed this interview.
During the interview, Vance referred to a Christian teaching, stating, “you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.”
After receiving online backlash, Vance responded on X, advising people to “Just google ‘ordo amoris.’”
He added, “Aside from that, the idea that there isn’t a hierarchy of obligations violates basic common sense.”
The phrase “ordo amoris,” which means “order of love,” is a longstanding Catholic concept.