Just this year, the pope shared on social media a letter from the late Pope Francis condemning mass deportations. He also amplified criticism of Vice President JD Vance, who claimed that the far left “cares more about immigrants than their own citizens.”
Pope Leo seemed to reject that logic entirely, sharing comments challenging the idea that some lives deserve more care than others.
John Prevost, Pope Leo’s older brother and a retired Catholic school principal, recently provided a rare and personal glimpse into the life of the man who now leads 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
“I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration. I know that for sure. How far he’ll go is anyone’s guess, but he’s not going to sit idly by. I don’t think he’s the silent type.”
Not Left, Not Right — But Very Loud
Despite his clear criticism of Trump’s policies, Pope Leo isn’t blindly aligned with the political left either. He has even expressed concern that the Democrats’ message on issues like abortion could alienate the working class.
Those close to him say he favors a balanced approach rooted in compassion, dignity, and practical justice.
The name he has chosen, Leo XIV, is an homage to Pope Leo XIII, known as the “pope of the workers” or the “social pope.” He was a champion of fair wages and labor rights, but also defended property rights and free-market principles.
In short, Pope Leo XIV seems to believe that the church should engage in politics but never be partisan. He indicates that he wants to speak for the common man, the immigrant, and the worker, not the loudest voices on Twitter or the most powerful people in government.
One word, endless meaning
Was his response a dig at Trump? A call for unity? A subtle rebuke to the chaos in his home country?
