The Vatican may be welcoming a historic new leader, but outside St. Peter’s Basilica, controversy is already swirling.
Just days after Robert Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history, disturbing revelations about his older brother have come to light—raising questions about family ties, political leanings, and public accountability.
A Historic Papal Election Overshadowed
Pope Leo XIV took the mantle as the 267th pope on the fourth round of voting, following the death of Pope Francis. His first public appearance as pontiff was marked by calls for peace and unity, urging an end to global conflict and “no more war.”
But while the world was adjusting to the new face of Catholic leadership, his brother, 73-year-old Louis Prevost, made headlines of a very different sort.
A Vulgar Post and Political Firestorm
According to a report by the New York Post, Louis Prevost—known for his outspoken MAGA views—shared a social media post referring to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a “drunk c*.”** The post included a video of Pelosi from 1996 with a harsh, profanity-laced caption attacking liberals and mocking her husband’s rumored personal life.
The crude language and politically charged content have ignited backlash online, especially given Louis’ close ties to the newly-elected pontiff.
He also reportedly called for Democrats to be arrested for treason for meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and shared a meme mocking “woke” ideology by referencing mental institutions.
The Vatican Stays Silent
As of now, the Vatican has not commented on Louis Prevost’s behavior. While the Pope has no official control over the personal lives or opinions of family members, critics argue that such vulgar public rhetoric—so close to the papacy—casts a shadow on Pope Leo’s message of compassion and reform.
Some legal and ethical observers even suggest this could be a moment where claims of defamation and public decency laws come into play, especially in light of high-profile political targets.
A Complex Family Dynamic
In interviews following the papal announcement, Louis made several casual remarks about his brother, recalling how he once “threw him down the stairs” in childhood and joking about needing to behave better now.
“I think he’s going to be similar to Francis, but maybe not quite as liberal-minded,” Louis said. “I think he’ll be a little more conservative.”
While Louis’s comments were meant to be lighthearted, many now view them in a different light given his social media conduct.