Louis Prevost, the older brother of Pope Leo XIV, has faced criticism for controversial social media posts expressing strong political views, prompting him to acknowledge the need for restraint following his sibling’s elevation to the papacy.
The Florida resident and U.S. Navy veteran found himself in the spotlight after media outlets discovered his online posts showing strong support for President Trump and criticism of Democrats. During a May 12 interview on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Prevost addressed the backlash over his derogatory comments about Democrats.
Prevost indicated he stood by his posts, stating he wouldn’t have posted content he didn’t believe in. However, he acknowledged the timing was unfortunate given his brother’s unexpected rise to the papacy. He explained that he had no advance knowledge of what was coming and emphasized he has remained quiet since the election, carefully considering his words.
The eldest Prevost brother expressed concern about creating unnecessary complications for the new pope. He acknowledged his political identity but stressed his desire to avoid generating negative attention that could burden his brother. According to Prevost, “I don’t need to create heat for Leo” as the pontiff will have sufficient challenges without additional press scrutiny.
President Trump publicly praised Louis Prevost during a May 20 meeting with House Republicans, describing him as a major supporter of the Make America Great Again movement. Trump expressed his intention to meet with the pope’s brother at the White House, indicating his desire to shake hands and embrace him.
The meeting materialized later that day when Trump and Vice President JD Vance hosted Louis Prevost and his wife Deborah in the Oval Office. Special assistant Margo Martin documented the encounter with photographs posted to social media platforms.
Louis Prevost had previously attended his brother’s inaugural Mass on May 18, sitting beside Second Lady Usha Vance during the ceremony. He also participated in the U.S. delegation’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV on May 19, joining Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the official visit.
The 71-year-old Prevost, who resides in Port Charlotte, has conducted multiple media interviews since his brother’s election as the first American-born pope. He described his reaction to learning about the papal election while watching television coverage, recognizing his brother’s name as the announcement began.
In interviews with major networks, Prevost shared childhood memories of his younger brother, recalling how the future pope would conduct mock masses and distribute communion at ages 7 and 8. He told reporters his brother always demonstrated a calling to religious life, preferring to play priest while his siblings engaged in typical childhood games.
Prevost expressed uncertainty about how his relationship with his brother might change following the papal election. He wondered whether they would maintain their close family bond and continue regular communication as they had throughout their lives.
The controversy surrounding Louis Prevost’s social media activity highlights the challenges facing papal family members who suddenly find themselves under intense public scrutiny. His acknowledgment of the need for discretion reflects the delicate balance between personal expression and the potential impact on the Vatican’s diplomatic relationships.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, grew up with his two older brothers John and Louis in the Chicago area before pursuing his religious vocation. The family has maintained close relationships despite their different career paths and geographic separation.
During the White House visit, Trump’s invitation to Pope Leo XIV for a future meeting was discussed, with the pontiff indicating he would consider visiting the United States at some point. The diplomatic overture represents an effort to strengthen U.S.-Vatican relations under the new pontificate.
