People lose it as newly elected Pope Leo tweets for the first time with very direct message
Pope Leo XIV has taken to Twitter to share a series of seven tweets addressing the Holy Church's stance on the current conflicts taking place across the globe.
For some reason, a religious figure taking to Twitter just seems wrong. But when Pope Leo does it? Well, it's just oh so right.
On May 8, Pope Francis' successor was officially announced, with the role of head of the Catholic Church going to 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost - whose papal name is Pope Leo XIV.
Since taking on the role, Pope Leo has already seemingly shaded Donald Trump, according to some social media users.
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Not only has the new pope previously snubbed US president Donald Trump's administration on Twitter, but he's now taken to the social media platform on a new page for his new title to share some words.
Taking to Twitter on May 14, Pope Leo's account wrote: "Peace be with you all! This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world."
And Pope Leo certainly didn't just stop there - going on to quote the Pope not before but twice before him.
Pope Leo quoted his third predecessor as talking about the 'preservation of the Eastern rites is more important than is realized'.
Adding to this, the current pope urged the world to 'embrace the appeal to safeguard and promote the Christian East, especially in the diaspora'.
"The ancient, yet ever new spiritualities of the Christian East offer a healing balm. They merge an awareness of human misery with awe for divine mercy, so that our lowliness never leads to despair but invites us to welcome grace," he added.
Reflecting on the 'violence' and 'wars' in the world, Pope Leo argued this 'horror' 'should provoke outrage' given how many 'die in the name of military conquest' and it's important, through it all, to remember the 'call of Christ': "Peace be with you."
However, Pope Leo noted 'Christ's peace is not the silence of the tomb after a conflict, and it is not the result of subjugation'.
He reflected on peace as being 'a gift' that helps people 'renew' their lives, found in the form of 'reconciliation, forgiveness and courage', a peace which we should all 'pray for'.
With ongoing conflict taking place across the globe from Ukraine to Sudan, Gaza and Syria, Pope Leo noted the Holy See is readily available to step in and try and help negotiations in whatever way it can.
His final tweet of the series resolved: "War is never inevitable. Weapons can and must fall silent, for they never solve problems but only intensify them. Those who sow peace will endure throughout history, not those who reap victims. Others are not enemies to hate but human beings with whom to speak."
The head of the Catholic Church has elicited quite a strong response on social media, amassing 18.5 million followers in just a few days since he created his Twitter account.
His first series of tweets have received an outpouring of responses online, with thousands flocking to the posts to comment, and one user noting: "Your message of peace is important, now more than ever."
Topics: Pope Leo, Religion, World News, Twitter, Social Media
Poppy Bilderbeck