Nowadays, even the virtuous have a footprint on social media.

Shortly after he was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, the online presence of the newly elected Pope was swiftly analyzed, which elicited varied responses from conservatives.

Before

becoming Pope Leo XVI

, Cardinal Robert Prevost occasionally posted on social media, including some messages that appeared to be critical of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance and their worldview.

His latest action on X occurred around mid-April, when

He posted something on his profile.

From a Catholic observer who criticized both Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for their laughter regarding this matter.

deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

from Maryland. The shared post directed to an article from the Catholic Standard newspaper, where Bishop Evelio Menjivar questioned Catholics regarding Abrego Garcia with, “Doesn’t your conscience bother you? How can you remain silent?”

In February, Prevost

posted links

To stories that criticized Vance, including an article from the National Catholic Reporter. Prevost shared the headline on X:

JD Vance is wrong

: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”

In the article

, the writer rebutted the vice president’s claim from a Fox News interview that Christians prioritize loving people close to them before those from other countries.

Reached for comment Thursday, the White House directed NBC News to a tweet posted by Vance.

Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019 and happened to meet with Pope Francis the day before he died, congratulated Prevost on being elected the first American pope.

Surely, millions of American Catholics along with other Christians will be praying for his effective leadership within the Church. May God bless him!

Vance wrote

in a post on X.

Trump also

offered his congratulations

“It’s quite an honor to recognize that he is the first American Pope,” he posted on Truth Social.

“What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

Other reposts from Prevost’s X account have suggested he supports protecting immigrants, reducing gun violence and

combatting climate change

.

The day after the Las Vegas mass shooting in October 2017, Prevost

shared a post from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

, that said: “To my colleagues: your cowardice to act cannot be whitewashed by thoughts and prayers. None of this ends unless we do something to stop it.”

Also in 2017, Prevost reposted someone who was

defending


immigrants


Who entered the U.S. unlawfully during their childhood?

, known as Dreamers.

“I support the #Dreamers and everyone striving for an equitable, just, and ethical immigration system. #DefendDACA #DACA,” the post stated.

Within just a few hours, he gained over 200,000 additional followers on his X account.

Nevertheless, the newly elected pope hasn’t been an active poster—most of his content has been typical Catholic material—so his social media updates don’t fully capture all his political stances.

Several conservative pundits have already latched onto Prevost’s posts and remarks.

Laura Loomer, a right-wing pundit, and

close Trump ally

, posted a series of messages condemning Leo’s politics. “Yet another Marxist pawn at the Vatican,”

she wrote

.

Conservative pundit Charlie Kirk adopted a less biased stance regarding Prevost’s victory.

He mentioned, ‘We’re looking at some less than favorable tweets regarding openness towards open borders. We will observe his stance on this matter. Additionally, there were comments related to George Floyd that didn’t sit well with me,’ he stated.

video

Posted on X: “However, it appears that he is a dedicated pro-life supporter. There is still much to discover about this pope, but I am hopeful that he will strongly advocate for secure boundaries and national autonomy.”

In 2020, Prevost

reposted tweets

offering prayers and

a message of support for Floyd

, whose murder by a Minneapolis police officer led to

a national reckoning

on race relations and policing.

Other Republicans like former President George W. Bush had a more positive reaction, saying in a statement that it’s an “historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world.”

Former President Joe Biden, a Democrat and only the second Catholic to be elected to the White House, also

voiced support for the new pope on X

“Habemus papam — May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. We extend our congratulations to him and wish for his success,” said Jill and I.

The article was initially posted on

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