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By Jesus Mesa and Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump said he wants Pope Leo XIV's brother, Louis Prevost, to visit the White House, he told reporters on Monday.
"I like the pope's brother. You know, one of the pope's brothers—actually both of them—but one in particular is a major MAGA fan. Did you know that? He lives in Florida. And I look forward to getting him to the White House. I want to shake his hand. I want to give him a big hug."
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The Context
The comments came just days after Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, attended the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate in St. Peter's Square, along with Prevost and his wife, Deborah.
Vance extended a formal invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit the United States during his meeting at the Vatican. The pope has yet to confirm any such plans.
What To Know
The invitation comes as Prevost faces scrutiny for inflammatory Facebook posts that critics say promote far-right and anti-democratic views.
Prevost, a 73-year-old Navy veteran and resident of Port Charlotte, Florida, has attracted criticism over social media posts that include an anti-LGBTQ+ meme and a video referring to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a misogynistic slur.
In another post, he claimed Democrats "long for the total destruction of our way of life" and should be charged with treason for meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In an interview with The New York Times, Prevost said he and his brother "disagreed on some things," a sentiment he reiterated to southwest Florida's ABC Gulf Coast News.
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"I don't think there will be a lot of politics involved," he said of Pope Leo's papacy. He described his brother as someone who is more inclined to "follow the rules" than to take political positions.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, is widely seen as ideologically moderate and has signaled continuity with the more inclusive direction set by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Early in his papacy, Leo echoed Francis' call for the Church to "build bridges," a phrase widely interpreted as a counterpoint to Trump's "build the wall" immigration rhetoric. As a cardinal, Leo reportedly shared posts critical of Trump's family separation policy, supported statements prioritizing conscience over immigration enforcement, and questioned Vance's views on Catholicism.
Pope Leo XIV, 69, served as a bishop in Peru, led the Augustinians worldwide, and was made cardinal in 2023 before becoming pope in March 2025. His brother John became a Catholic school principal in Chicago, and Louis was serving in the U.S. Navy when Leo was ordained as a priest in 1982.
Asked whether he had spoken with his brother since the papal election, Louis Prevost said he had not, adding, "I figured he must be exceptionally busy at the time."
What People Are Saying
Vice President JD Vance, on X, formerly Twitter, after Leo's election: "I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!"
President Donald Trump, who recently said he is open to speaking with Leo about immigration, on Truth Social: "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"
What Happens Next
Prevost has not made any public comments regarding the invitation or his reported support for the MAGA movement.
Update 5/20/25, 1:46 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and comment.
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