Pope Leo XIV posts first message on official papal social media accounts

LiveNOW 1-on-1 with the brother of Pope Leo XIV

Louis Prevost, the eldest brother of Pope Leo XIV, joins LiveNOW's Andrew Craft to talk about the whirlwind it's been since the end of the conclave. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, spent his early life in Chicago before spending years as a missionary in Peru. Louis said he talks to his brother two to three times a week and tells us the new pope is a leading figure not just to his family, but now the entire world. Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born pope. He spoke to the media for the first time Monday in Vatican City. He will be inaugurated on Sunday, May 18, in St. Peter's Square.

LOS ANGELES -
Pope Leo XIV has made his first official foray into social media, posting a message of peace on Instagram and X that marks the continuation of the Church’s digital outreach tradition.

His post—published just days after his election—quoted directly from his Urbi et Orbi address and featured several images from his first moments as pontiff. The launch reflects his intention to remain actively engaged with the faithful across digital platforms, the Vatican said Tuesday.

What did the pope post?

The backstory:

"Peace be with you all! This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd," Pope Leo wrote in his first post. "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."

The @Pontifex account on X (formerly Twitter) will continue to serve as the pope’s official voice online, maintaining its reach across nine languages and over 52 million followers. On Instagram, the new handle will read "@Pontifex – Pope Leo XIV," while Pope Francis’ previous @Franciscus account will be preserved as a commemorative archive.

How does this compare to previous popes?

The backstory:

The Holy See first embraced social media under Pope Benedict XVI, who sent the inaugural papal tweet in 2012. Pope Francis built on that foundation, using Instagram and X extensively throughout his papacy. In 2020 alone, his digital content garnered over 27 billion views, with near-daily posts sharing his messages on peace, justice, and care for creation.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025.  (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the Dicastery for Communication, content from Pope Francis’ papacy—including roughly 50,000 posts—will be preserved in a special archive on Vatican.va.

As Pope Leo XIV picks up the digital mantle, his online presence may help shape how the Church communicates with younger generations. By quoting his first public blessing and centering his message on peace, the new pope signals continuity with his predecessors while also inviting fresh global engagement.