Pope Leo XIV has resorted to Twitter to publish a series of seven tweets outlining the Holy Church’s position on contemporary crises across the world.
For some reason, a religious person turning to Twitter appears inappropriate. But when does Pope Leo do it? It’s simply so correct.
On May 8, Pope Francis’ successor was formally announced: 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, also known as Pope Leo XIV, would take over as leader of the Catholic Church.
According to some social media users, Pope Leo has already appeared to shade Donald Trump in his new capacity.
Not only has the new pope already ignored US President Donald Trump’s administration on Twitter, but he has also turned to the social media site on a new page for his new title to say something.
On May 14, Pope Leo’s Twitter account posted, “Peace be with you all!” This is the first welcome given by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd. I would like this peaceful greeting to echo in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and across the world.”
And Pope Leo did not stop there; he went on to quote the Pope not once, but twice before him.
Pope Leo paraphrased his third predecessor, emphasizing the importance of preserving Eastern rites.
Furthermore, the present pope asked the globe to ’embrace the appeal to conserve and promote the Christian East, especially in the diaspora.’
The old, yet ever-changing spiritualities of the Christian East provide a soothing salve. They combine a knowledge of human suffering with awe for divine kindness so that our lowliness never leads to despair but rather urges us to accept grace,” he continued.
Reflecting on the world’s ‘violence’ and ‘wars,’ Pope Leo said that this ‘horror should cause anger’ given how many ‘die in the name of military conquest,’ and that it is necessary to recall the ‘call of Christ’: “Peace be with you.”
However, Pope Leo emphasized that “Christ’s peace is not the silence of the tomb after a conflict, nor is it the result of subjugation.”
He thought of peace as ‘a gift’ that helps people renew’ their lives, found in the form of reconciliation, forgiveness, and bravery,’ a peace that we should all ‘hope for.’
With continued war spanning the globe from Ukraine to Sudan, Gaza, and Syria, Pope Leo stated that the Holy See is ready to intervene and assist discussions in any manner it can.
His final tweet in the series resolved, “War is never unavoidable. We can and must silence weapons, as they do not solve problems, but instead exacerbate them. History will remember those who foster peace, not those who cause suffering. Others are not opponents to hate, but people with whom to communicate.”
The leader of the Catholic Church has provoked a huge response on social media, gaining 18.5 million followers in only a few days after launching his Twitter account.
His initial set of tweets elicited a flood of replies online, with hundreds of people commenting on the postings, including one person who noted, “Your message of peace is important, now more than ever.”
