Pope Leo's social media swipes at Trump

Posts from Cardinal Robert Prevost's apparent X account take issue with US policies

Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first pontiff from North America. AFP

Pope Leo XIV, before becoming pontiff, was not shy about speaking about politics – and commented online on the administration of US President Donald Trump.

As Cardinal Robert Prevost, as he was known before cardinals elected him to succeed the late Pope Francis on Thursday, there were several posts in his name disapproving of Republican leaders' policies.

In February, he reposted an article with the headline: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others." It took issue with comments by the US Vice President suggesting that Christians should prioritise Americans' well-being over the rest of the world.

In April, when Mr Trump met El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele to discuss using a prison linked to alleged human rights abuses to jail suspected gang members flown from the US, the new Pope Leo reshared a post that remarked: "Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?"

The account made its first post in 2011. It could not immediately be confirmed whether it was operated by the cardinal himself.

Profile: Who is Leo XIV, the first American Pope?

Mr Trump expressed pride at having an American in charge at the Vatican. "To have the pope from the United States of America, that's a great honour," he said at the White House.

Mr Trump said the White House has “already called” the Vatican to set up a meeting with Pope Leo.

Donald Trump calls election of first US pope a 'great honour'

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Mr Vance, a Catholic, said he was sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians would pray for Leo's success.

"May God bless him!" Mr Vance wrote on X.

A few weeks ago, Mr Trump drew criticism in the wake of Pope Francis’ death when he posted an image created by artificial intelligence that showed him dressed as the pope.

Pope Leo XIV elected – in pictures

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States, appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. Reuters

Pope Leo XIV waves from the balcony. Reuters

The gathered crowds are greeted by the newly elected Pope Leo XIV from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. AP

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) message from the balcony. Reuters

Cardinals stand on a balcony after the new pope was elected. Reuters

Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announces the election of Pope Leo XIV. AP

White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signalling a successor to Pope Francis has been elected. AP

Nuns celebrate as white smoke pours from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel. Reuters

Swiss Guards march as the white smoke billows. AP

A woman cries at the Vatican. Reuters

A smiling nun greets the appearance of white smoke. AFP

Prelates celebrate on St Peter's Square. AFP

Crowds celebrate on St Peter's Square. Getty Images

People watch the white smoke on a large screen. AP

People take photographs and celebrate as the white smoke emerges. Reuters

The conclave of cardinals gathered on Wednesday to choose the new leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. AP

People celebrate on a roof in Vatican City. Getty Images

Mr Trump, who attended Pope Francis’ funeral, said the image was just a joke.

Pope Leo is expected to follow in the footsteps of the late Pope Francis, a champion of the poor and of immigrants.

The cardinal, 69, was greeted by cheering crowds as he made his first appearance on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica on Thursday.

"Greetings, brothers and sisters," he told them in his first address as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. "May peace be with you." He called worshippers to pray for the late Pope Francis, who died on April 21.