New Pope Leo XIV spent years retweeting criticism of Trump policies

New York Post - May 8th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, has a history of vocal criticism against former President Trump's immigration policies. The first American to lead the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has been active on social media, sharing and retweeting opinions challenging the Republican's approach to immigration. His last post before his election was a retweet criticizing Trump's collaboration with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele on deportations. Leo XIV's past social media activity highlights his stand against policies perceived as contrary to Christian values, such as refugee bans, often amplifying voices like those of Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich and Jesuit priest James Martin.

Prevost, an unexpected choice for the papacy, emphasizes inclusivity in his leadership, as reflected in his initial blessing, which paid tribute to Pope Francis and called for a welcoming church. The choice of the name Leo XIV might indicate a desire to align with the legacy of Leo XIII, known as the 'Pope of the Workers.' This significant appointment suggests potential shifts in the Church's engagement with social and political issues, particularly concerning human rights and social justice, reflecting a broader, more inclusive approach to global challenges and Catholic teachings.

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RATING

5.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides timely coverage of the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, and his potential impact on the Catholic Church. It effectively engages with topics of public interest, such as immigration and the intersection of religion and politics. However, the article's reliance on unverified social media content and lack of diverse perspectives affect its accuracy and balance. While the narrative is clear and readable, the absence of authoritative sources and transparency in sourcing undermines the story's credibility. Overall, the article succeeds in capturing attention and addressing significant issues but requires more robust sourcing and verification to enhance its reliability.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims about the new Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, and his social media activities. The article accurately reports that Prevost was elected as the first American pope, which is supported by reliable sources. However, the claims about his social media activities, such as his criticism of President Trump's policies, require verification. The article mentions specific posts and retweets from Prevost's account, but without direct evidence or access to his social media, these claims remain unverified. Additionally, the story suggests that Prevost's papal name, Leo XIV, signals a continuation of Leo XIII's legacy, which is speculative and not directly supported by statements from Prevost. Overall, while some factual elements are accurate, others lack direct evidence, affecting the overall accuracy score.

5
Balance

The article primarily focuses on Pope Leo XIV's criticism of President Trump, which may skew the narrative towards a negative portrayal of Trump's policies without providing a balanced view. It does not include perspectives from Trump's supporters or other viewpoints that might contextualize Prevost's criticisms. Additionally, the article briefly mentions Prevost's initial blessing and choice of papal name, but these elements are not explored in depth, leading to an imbalance in the coverage of his papal vision versus his political opinions. This lack of diverse perspectives and depth in coverage results in a moderate balance score.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it easy to understand the main points and claims. It provides a coherent narrative by linking Prevost's past actions with his new role as pope, which helps readers follow the storyline. However, some parts of the article, particularly those discussing the implications of Prevost's papal name, could benefit from more detailed explanations to enhance clarity. Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone and logical flow, contributing to a relatively high clarity score.

4
Source quality

The article relies heavily on social media posts and retweets as sources of information, which can be unreliable if not corroborated by other credible sources. While it mentions specific individuals like Rocco Palmo and James Martin, it does not provide direct quotes or interviews that could enhance the credibility of the information. Additionally, the lack of references to official Vatican statements or authoritative Catholic sources diminishes the reliability of the reporting. This reliance on potentially unverifiable social media content and the absence of authoritative sources lead to a lower score for source quality.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing how the information regarding Prevost's social media activity was obtained. There is no explanation of the methodology used to verify the social media claims or the context in which these posts were made. Moreover, the article does not address any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting, such as the author's own views on the political issues discussed. This lack of transparency in sourcing and methodology affects the article's credibility and results in a moderate score.

Sources

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-pope-robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv/
  2. https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250508-pope-leo-xiv-profile-robert-prevost-from-peru-missionary-to-first-american-pontiff
  3. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/cardinal-elected-pope-papal-name.html
  4. https://people.com/cardinal-robert-prevost-announced-pope-leo-xiv-2025-papal-conclave-11727596