In a series of seven tweets, Pope Leo XIV has addressed the Holy Church’s position on the ongoing crises occurring around the world.
Somehow, it just doesn’t feel right for a religious leader to use Twitter. However, when does Pope Leo do it? Oh, that’s just right.
On May 8, it was formally declared that 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, whose papal name is Pope Leo XIV, would succeed Pope Francis as head of the Catholic Church.
Some social media users claim that Pope Leo has already disparaged Donald Trump since assuming the position.
In addition to previously ignoring the administration of US President Donald Trump on Twitter, the newly appointed pope has now shared some remarks on the social media site on a new page for his new title.
Taking to Twitter on May 14, Pope Leo’s account wrote: “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.”
Pope Leo went on to quote the Pope thrice before him, demonstrating that he didn’t stop there.
“The preservation of the Eastern rites is more important than is realised,” according to Pope Leo, who cited his third predecessor.
Adding to this, the current pope urged the world 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 added.
Pope Leo said that considering how many people “die in the name of military conquest,” this “horror” “should provoke outrage.” He also said that it’s crucial to keep in mind the “call of Christ”: “Peace be with you.”
“Christ’s peace is not the silence of the tomb after a conflict, and it is not the result of subjugation,” Pope Leo once said.
According to his reflections, peace is “a gift” that enables individuals to “renew” their lives. It can be found in “reconciliation, forgiveness, and courage,” and it is something that we should all “pray for.”
Pope Leo stated that the Holy See is ready to intervene and try to support negotiations in whatever manner it can given the continued conflicts occurring in places like Syria, Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.
His final tweet of the series resolved: “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.”
In just a few days after establishing his Twitter account, the head of the Catholic Church has garnered 18.5 million followers, demonstrating the powerful reaction he has received on social media.
There has been a massive internet response to his initial tweet series, with thousands of people leaving comments and one user writing, “Your message of peace is important, now more than ever.”
