Pope Leo XIV reestablished the official papal X account on Wednesday, May 14, quickly engaging with a series of tweets advocating for peace and denouncing current global conflicts. The American pontiff, elected after Pope Francis’s passing, promptly made his digital presence known and communicated his commitment to world peace to a global audience.
At around 8 a.m. Eastern Time, Pope Leo XIV sent his first tweet from the @Pontifex account, starting with a message echoing Jesus Christ’s words. “Peace be with you all!” he wrote. “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.”
After a 90-minute pause, the Pope resumed activity on the platform, posting six more tweets in a span of 13 minutes. This rapid communication style is similar to how President Donald Trump frequently uses his social media platform, Truth Social.
“There is so much violence and so many wars in our world!” Pope Leo XIV wrote in one of his emotional posts. “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!'”
The Pope urged global leaders to consider the Vatican’s offer to facilitate peace negotiations. He stressed the Holy See’s readiness to bring adversaries together, helping them restore the dignity that peace offers. With pressing concern, he encouraged world leaders to engage in dialogue, stating, “Let us meet, let us talk, let us work toward peace.”
These online messages align with the themes Pope Leo has emphasized since his May 8 election. In his initial public appearances, he has consistently addressed specific ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the war in Gaza, and tensions between India and Pakistan.
The pontiff’s increased social media activity marks a notable shift from his previous communication style. As Cardinal Robert Prevost, Leo was known as a quiet, thoughtful, and moderate church leader, contrasting with his predecessor, Pope Francis, who was recognized for his outspoken nature and willingness to break traditional norms.
During his first Sunday blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica on May 11, Pope Leo XIV reiterated his calls for peace to an estimated gathering of 100,000 faithful.
The Pope expressed significant concern for Ukraine, highlighting the suffering of its people and stressing the urgency for a genuine, just, and lasting peace. This appeal followed his reported phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 12, during which he offered personal support for resolving the ongoing conflict.
The Pope also voiced deep concern about Gaza, urging “an immediate ceasefire” and “humanitarian aid to be provided to the exhausted civilian population and all hostages be freed.” He welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, expressing hope that negotiations would lead to a lasting agreement, while acknowledging “there are so many other conflicts in the world.”
While Leo’s rapid succession of tweets might seem unexpected for a pontiff who previously maintained a low profile on social media, Vatican communications officials confirmed his intention to stay active on both X and Instagram. According to a press release from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, the papal social media accounts previously managed by Pope Francis had accumulated approximately 50,000 posts and garnered over 27 billion views in 2020 alone.
Pope Leo XIV’s decision to utilize the @Pontifex account follows the precedent set by Pope Benedict XVI, who became the first pope to join Twitter in December 2012 at the age of 84. The account has since amassed over 52 million followers across nine languages.
What distinguishes Pope Leo XIV’s social media presence from his predecessors is that he was already active on the platform before his elevation to the papacy. His personal account, @drprevost, established in August 2011, has faced increased scrutiny since his election. Some of his prior posts, including critiques of Vice President J.D. Vance and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, have sparked debate among conservative Catholics.
In March 2025, then-Cardinal Prevost shared an article criticizing Vice President Vance for allegedly misrepresenting Catholic teaching to support mass deportation policies. “JD Vance is wrong,” he wrote at the time. Less than a month before becoming pope, he retweeted content challenging the Trump administration’s approach to deporting undocumented migrants without due process.
These previous statements have drawn criticism from some conservative circles, with right-wing commentators accusing the new pontiff of being “anti-MAGA” and suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” However, since assuming his new role, the Pope’s focus appears to have shifted toward promoting dialogue and peace on a global scale.
Pope Leo XIV has indicated that he chose his papal name in tribute to Pope Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 to 1903 and was noted for his pioneering Catholic social teaching during the first industrial revolution. The current Pope seems interested in addressing similar challenges in today’s world, particularly concerning artificial intelligence and human dignity.
During a meeting with journalists on Monday, Pope Leo XIV further emphasized his commitment to peace-oriented communication. He stressed the importance of communication that prioritizes listening and amplifies the voices of the weak and voiceless, rather than relying on loud and forceful expression. He urged people to disarm their words as a step toward contributing to the disarmament of the world.
The Pope’s sudden surge of tweets, combined with his prominent public calls for peace, suggests that promoting dialogue and reconciliation will be central themes of his papacy. Through his strategic use of social media, Pope Leo XIV appears determined to amplify his message of peace beyond traditional Catholic audiences into the broader digital landscape.