Pope Leo XIV reactivated the papal X account on Wednesday, May 14, launching a series of tweets focused on peace and denouncing global conflicts. The Pope, elected days after Pope Francis passed away, quickly established his online presence to communicate his peace message worldwide.
The first tweet from the @Pontifex account appeared around 8 a.m. Eastern Time, starting with a greeting inspired by Jesus Christ. “Peace be with you all!” he posted. “This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd. 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 and throughout the world.”
Approximately 90 minutes later, the Pope continued with six more tweets posted in a 13-minute timeframe, a rapid approach reminiscent of President Donald Trump’s use of Truth Social.
“There is so much violence and so many wars in our world!” Pope Leo XIV wrote in one emotional post. “Amid this horror that should provoke outrage—as people die in the name of military conquest—stands the call of Christ, who repeats: ‘Peace be with you!'”
Addressing global leaders, Pope Leo XIV conveyed the Vatican’s willingness to facilitate peace negotiations, emphasizing the Holy See’s commitment to fostering dialogue and dignity. He urged leaders to “Let us meet, let us talk, let us work toward peace.”
These declarations align with the themes Pope Leo XIV has highlighted since his election on May 8. In his initial public appearances, he consistently addressed ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the war in Gaza, and tensions between India and Pakistan.
The Pope’s active social media engagement marks a shift from his previous reserved communication style. As Cardinal Robert Prevost, he was known as a quiet and moderate church leader. This contrasts with his predecessor, Pope Francis, known for his outspoken advocacy and willingness to challenge tradition.
During his first Sunday blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica on May 11, Pope Leo XIV reiterated his calls for peace to a crowd of approximately 100,000.
He expressed concern for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a genuine, just, and lasting peace. His remarks followed a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 12, where he offered personal support for conflict resolution.
In addition to Ukraine, Pope Leo XIV addressed the situation in Gaza, calling for “an immediate ceasefire” and “humanitarian aid to be provided to the exhausted civilian population and all hostages be freed.” He welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, hoping it would lead to a lasting agreement, while noting other conflicts worldwide.
Despite his previously low profile on social media, Vatican communications have confirmed that Pope Leo XIV plans to maintain an active presence on both X and Instagram. A press release from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication noted that the papal social media accounts gathered approximately 50,000 posts and over 27 billion views in 2020.
Pope Leo XIV’s decision to use the @Pontifex account follows Pope Benedict XVI’s precedent, who joined Twitter in December 2012 at age 84. The account now boasts over 52 million followers across nine languages.
Unique to Pope Leo XIV is his pre-papacy activity on the platform. His personal account, @drprevost, created in August 2011, has gained attention since his election. Previous posts, including critiques of Vice President J.D. Vance and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, sparked controversy among conservative Catholics.
In March 2025, then-Cardinal Prevost shared an article criticizing Vice President Vance for allegedly misrepresenting Catholic teaching to support mass deportations. “JD Vance is wrong,” he wrote. He also retweeted content challenging the Trump administration’s approach to deporting undocumented migrants without due process.
These statements have faced backlash from conservative circles, with some commentators labeling him “anti-MAGA.” However, Pope Leo XIV’s focus has shifted toward promoting global dialogue and peace.
Pope Leo XIV chose his papal name to honor Pope Leo XIII, known for pioneering Catholic social teaching during the first industrial revolution. The current Pope appears to be addressing similar modern challenges, particularly regarding artificial intelligence and human dignity.
During a meeting with journalists on Monday, Pope Leo XIV emphasized peace-oriented communication. He stressed the importance of listening and amplifying the voices of the weak and voiceless, urging people to disarm their words as part of global disarmament efforts.
The Pope’s active engagement on social media and public calls for peace suggest that dialogue and reconciliation will be central to his papacy. Through strategic social media use, Pope Leo XIV aims to extend his peace message beyond traditional Catholic audiences.
