The pope’s MAGA brother and how even the holiest families have a black — and red — sheep stained by Trump

Yahoo! News - May 15th, 2025
Open on Yahoo! News

Louis Prevost, the brother of newly elected Pope Leo XIV, has become a controversial figure due to his extreme pro-Trump views. Known as a 'red sheep,' Louis frequently shares far-right grievances and offensive memes on social media, targeting prominent Democratic figures like Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama. His outspoken support for Trumpism starkly contrasts with his brother's values of mercy, humility, and opposition to nationalism, raising concerns about familial and public discord.

The situation highlights the pervasive nature of political divisions in families, showing that even the Pope's family is not immune to the cultural and ideological rifts exacerbated by Trumpism. The story underscores the broader societal impact of such divisions, as political allegiances strain personal relationships and challenge shared values. While Pope Leo XIV strives to bridge divides within the Church, his brother's actions reflect a troubling trend of political extremism infiltrating personal lives and family gatherings, emphasizing the deep-seated challenges of unity in contemporary society.

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RATING

5.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The story presents a compelling narrative about the influence of political beliefs on family dynamics, using the example of Louis Prevost and his brother, Pope Leo XIV. While the article is engaging and timely, it suffers from a lack of balanced perspectives and supporting evidence, which affects its accuracy and credibility. The absence of reliable sources and transparency in the reporting process further limits the story's impact on informed public discourse. Despite these weaknesses, the story effectively highlights important themes related to political polarization and its broader cultural implications, making it relevant to a wide audience.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several claims about Louis Prevost and his political views, particularly his support for Donald Trump and his controversial social media activity. While the narrative is compelling, it lacks direct citations or evidence to substantiate the claims about his social media posts, such as calling Nancy Pelosi a derogatory term or mocking Paul Pelosi's assault. The article also mentions Prevost's comments about Barack Obama and the Democratic Party, yet it does not provide direct quotes or evidence from his social media profiles. These gaps in supporting evidence reduce the story's factual accuracy and verifiability.

5
Balance

The story primarily focuses on Louis Prevost's controversial political views and actions, portraying him in a negative light. It contrasts his behavior with the values of his brother, Pope Leo XIV, who is depicted as a bridge-builder and advocate for marginalized groups. While the article provides a detailed account of Prevost's actions, it does not offer any perspective from Prevost himself or those who might support his views. This lack of balance in representing multiple viewpoints results in a one-sided narrative that could benefit from a more nuanced exploration of the familial and political dynamics involved.

7
Clarity

The article is written in a clear and engaging manner, with a strong narrative structure that draws the reader into the story. The language is vivid and descriptive, making the content accessible and easy to follow. However, the tone is somewhat informal and opinionated, which may affect the perceived neutrality of the piece. While the article effectively conveys its main points, the lack of supporting evidence and source attribution can lead to confusion about the factual basis of certain claims.

4
Source quality

The article does not cite any sources to substantiate its claims about Louis Prevost's social media activity or his brother's views on his actions. The lack of direct quotes, screenshots, or interviews with relevant parties weakens the credibility of the information presented. Furthermore, the story does not reference any authoritative sources, such as official Vatican statements or reputable news outlets, to support its claims about Pope Leo XIV's stance on political matters. This absence of reliable sources and attribution affects the overall quality and trustworthiness of the reporting.

4
Transparency

The article does not provide sufficient context or methodology for how the information was obtained, particularly regarding Louis Prevost's social media activity. There is no disclosure of whether the author attempted to contact Prevost for comment or sought verification from independent sources. Additionally, the story does not clarify any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the narrative. This lack of transparency in the reporting process limits the reader's ability to assess the impartiality and accuracy of the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.advocate.com/voices/popes-maga-brother-louis-prevost
  2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/pope-leo-xiv-s-brother-louis-is-a-trump-fan-resurfaced-facebook-posts-reveal-101746950955110.html
  3. https://www.thedailybeast.com/popes-maga-brother-louis-prevost-compares-himself-to-president-trump/