Pope Leo XIV recently used Twitter to address the global conflicts, posting a series of seven tweets about the Holy Church’s position on these matters.
While it might seem unusual for a religious leader to use social media, Pope Leo’s approach resonates with many.
On May 8, Pope Francis’ successor was announced, with Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, age 69, taking on the name Pope Leo XIV as the head of the Catholic Church.
Since assuming his position, Pope Leo has made headlines by appearing to critique former US President Donald Trump, as observed by social media users.
The new pope, previously critical of Trump’s administration on Twitter, has now taken to his new papal account to share his thoughts.
On May 14, Pope Leo tweeted: “Peace be with you all! 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.”
He continued by quoting not just one, but two of his predecessors.
Pope Leo referenced his third predecessor who emphasized the ‘preservation of the Eastern rites is more important than is realized’.
He further encouraged a global effort to ’embrace the appeal to safeguard and promote the Christian East, especially in the diaspora’.
“The ancient, yet ever new spiritualities of the Christian East offer a healing balm. They merge an awareness of human misery with awe for divine mercy, so that our lowliness never leads to despair but invites us to welcome grace,” he elaborated.
Addressing the ‘violence’ and ‘wars’ happening globally, Pope Leo stated that such ‘horror’ ‘should provoke outrage’ due to the number of individuals ‘dying in the name of military conquest’, stressing the importance of recalling the ‘call of Christ’: “Peace be with you.”
Pope Leo, however, clarified that ‘Christ’s peace is not the silence of the tomb after a conflict, and it is not the result of subjugation’.
He described peace as ‘a gift’ aiding people to ‘renew’ their lives, manifesting as ‘reconciliation, forgiveness and courage’, a peace everyone should ‘pray for’.
Amidst the ongoing global conflicts, from Ukraine to Sudan, Gaza, and Syria, Pope Leo highlighted the Holy See’s readiness to assist in negotiations.
He concluded his series of tweets with: “War is never inevitable. Weapons can and must fall silent, for they never solve problems but only intensify them. Those who sow peace will endure throughout history, not those who reap victims. Others are not enemies to hate but human beings with whom to speak.”
Pope Leo’s messages have attracted a significant reaction on social media, drawing 18.5 million followers in just a few days since the account’s creation.
The tweets have sparked thousands of responses, with many expressing support, including one user who commented: “Your message of peace is important, now more than ever.”