New Pope Makes First Social Media Post
Pope Leo XIV has stepped into the digital age with a message as old as the Gospel itself: “Peace be with you.” That timeless blessing marked the historic first social media post of the newly elected pontiff on Tuesday, as he launched his presence on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), signaling a clear intent to maintain an active role in global digital discourse.
The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication confirmed that Pope Leo XIV intends to personally shape his online image, using the official papal accounts to engage the faithful and the broader world. While previous popes delegated such duties to Vatican staff, Leo XIV appears to be forging a more hands-on relationship with his audience—especially the younger, increasingly online generations.
His first post, adorned with photographs from the early days of his papacy, was both symbolic and personal.
“Peace be with you all,” he wrote—a repetition of his first words as pope, echoing the scriptural greeting of the Risen Christ. “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.”
This deliberate framing sets the tone for what could be a defining theme of his papacy: a global call for unity, reconciliation, and digital evangelism.
Pope Leo XIV steps into the shoes of the late Pope Francis, whose twelve-year papacy was marked by sweeping reforms, pastoral outreach, and active engagement with social justice issues.
The Vatican is now archiving the extensive digital legacy of Francis—a record of papal diplomacy, environmental advocacy, and calls for mercy and inclusion.
Leo XIV’s decision to continue this online ministry underscores both continuity and evolution. Unlike his predecessors, the new pope brings his own digital footprint into the role. Prior to his election, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost maintained a modest personal X account, largely inactive since July 2023, but recently reactivated amid political tensions in the U.S.
He used the platform earlier this year to criticize the Trump administration’s immigration policies and address inflammatory remarks by Vice President JD Vance—positions that aligned him with Pope Francis during the final political battles of his papacy.