This week, Pope Leo XIV took to X (previously known as Twitter) to share a series of tweets regarding the Church’s position on current global conflicts.

Just a few days following the announcement on May 8, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who is now referred to as Pope Leo XIV, officially assumed his role as the new leader of the Catholic Church.

Before fully acclimating to his new position, Pope Leo was already generating attention online. He had previously engaged in disputes with the Trump administration and has now established a new account under his papal name.

To be candid, witnessing a tweet from the Pope can seem rather unusual. One might wonder if this is truly occurring. However, with Pope Leo, it appeared entirely appropriate.

On May 14, Pope Leo’s Twitter account conveyed: “May peace be upon you all! This is the initial salutation delivered by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd.

I hope this message of peace resonates within your hearts, within your families, and among all individuals, regardless of their location, in every nation and across the globe.”

Pope Leo referenced the words of his third predecessor, who stated that the ‘preservation of the Eastern rites is more significant than commonly understood.’

He subsequently urged individuals to ‘respond to the call to protect and advance the Christian East, particularly within the diaspora.’

He provided a profound insight regarding that spiritual tradition: ‘The timeless, yet continually refreshing spiritualities of the Christian East serve as a soothing remedy.

They combine an understanding of human suffering with reverence for divine compassion, ensuring that our humility does not result in despair but rather encourages us to embrace grace.’

The pope spoke candidly, condemning the ongoing “violence” and “wars” around the globe, asserting that this “horror” should evoke a sense of outrage among the populace.

He highlighted the tragic loss of life resulting from military might, while also recalling Christ’s message: “Peace be with you.”

The concluding tweet in the series delivered a powerful message: ‘War is not an unavoidable fate. Weapons must and can be silenced, as they do not resolve issues but rather exacerbate them.

Those who cultivate peace will be remembered throughout history, unlike those who harvest victims. Others should not be viewed as adversaries to despise, but as individuals with whom to engage in dialogue.’

Naturally, the tweets garnered significant attention. In a matter of days, the pope’s new account amassed 18.6 million followers.

Responses flooded in as well, with one individual stating, ‘Your message of peace is crucial, especially in these times.’