Louis Prevost, Pope Leo’s brother, vows to tone down controversial social media posts after his brother becomes the new pope.
Louis Prevost, the older brother of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, recently addressed the backlash from his provocative Facebook posts.
His remarks gained attention after his younger brother, former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was unexpectedly elected pope.
Brothers raised in Chicago with different interests
Growing up in Chicago, Louis and Robert Prevost developed markedly different personalities and hobbies.
Louis recalled how, as a child, Robert was fascinated by the idea of becoming a priest, a rarity among their neighborhood peers.
Their mother supported this early interest, encouraging Robert’s imaginative play by letting him use household items as props for religious rituals.
Despite their contrasting characters, the brothers shared a close bond in their youth.
“Nobody else in our ‘hood played priest, but Robert did. And our parents always supported his wishes in that area,” he recalled.
“Mom let him use our ironing board to put a sheet over, and crackers we had for communion. My brother enjoyed this.”
Louis’ online remarks spark controversy on social media
Before his brother’s rise to the pope, Louis Prevost was known for sharing divisive and inflammatory content on social media.
His posts featured transphobic remarks, criticism of Biden supporters, and offensive language targeting politicians like Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.
These statements ignited widespread criticism, especially once Louis’s relation to Pope Leo XIV became widely known.
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Since his brother’s historic election, Louis has expressed a commitment to moderating his public remarks.
“I had no idea that what was coming was coming this soon,” Louis noted, referencing his brother’s papal promotion.
“And I can tell you since then I’ve been … biting my tongue about some of the stuff that is out there on social media.”
“I don’t need to create heat for [Leo],” he added. “He’s going to have enough.”
Understanding the immense pressures faced by his brother as the head of the Catholic Church, Louis emphasized the need to avoid adding fuel to the fire.
He worried about causing more public backlash affecting Pope Leo XIV during a difficult time.
Pope Leo XIV’s social media emphasizes peace
In contrast to his brother’s previous posts, Pope Leo XIV’s official social media messages highlight themes of peace, compassion, and dialogue.
Since taking over the @Pontifex accounts, he has consistently called for the end of wars and encouraged peaceful communication.
A recent message highlighted violence worsens problems; peace promoters are remembered.
Pope Leo XIV’s online activity prior to his election showed thoughtful engagement with political and religious topics.
For example, he challenged political figures’ interpretations of Christian values, particularly around immigration policies.
This nuanced stance contrasts sharply with Louis’s blunt and provocative online style.