Following the Vatican’s announcement on Thursday, May 8, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, aged 69, officially became the 267th pope, assuming the name Pope Leo XIV. His public debut from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica marked a historic moment, as he became the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV spent a significant part of his ministry in Peru, known for his missionary work and multilingual abilities.
Despite his growing prominence, much about his personal views on contemporary political issues had remained unclear—until now.
Though previous subtle clues hinted at his ideological leanings—such as resharing a tweet critical of Donald Trump, addressing themes of “technology” and “power” in his first homily, and referencing an article that scrutinized Vice President JD Vance—no clear stance had been confirmed.
However, that changed recently when the pope’s older brother, John Prevost, a 71-year-old retired Catholic school principal, offered deeper insight into the new pontiff’s thinking in an interview with The New York Times.
John described Pope Leo’s outlook as balanced, stating, “I don’t think we’ll see him swing to either extreme.” He also suggested that the pope may continue the legacy of Pope Francis, who was widely regarded as one of the most forward-thinking leaders in Vatican history.
On the sensitive topic of immigration—a key political flashpoint—John noted that his brother likely won’t remain passive. “He’s definitely concerned about what’s happening with immigration. I can say that with certainty. Whether he’ll speak out loudly or not remains to be seen, but he won’t just sit on the sidelines,” John explained.
Besides sharing political insights, John also spoke about the pope’s personal side, revealing that he enjoys movies in his downtime, including Conclave.
This context is particularly meaningful in light of Pope Francis’ own remarks in 2016, when he criticized then-candidate Donald Trump’s proposed border wall during a visit to Mexico. Francis stated that “a person who only thinks about building walls and not bridges isn’t living according to the gospel.” He also condemned harsh deportation tactics, highlighting their impact on human dignity.
In his first mass, Pope Leo XIV emphasized a return to missionary faith and warned against the global erosion of human dignity, naming societal issues that stem from prioritizing materialism, power, and pleasure over spirituality.
As the new pope begins his tenure, early signs suggest that he may take a thoughtful but active role in global conversations—particularly those concerning justice and human rights.