Pope Leo XIV is enthusiastic with the first Instagram message: Peace be with you!

Pope Leo XIV is enthusiastic with the first Instagram message: Peace be with you!

Vatikanstadt, Vatikan - On May 14, 2025, Pope Leo XIV entered the digital stage with his first message on Instagram and thus set a new standard for the communication of the Vatican. His message "Peace is with all of you!" It was not only on the screens, but also in the hearts of many. Within the first hour after launch of his account @Pontifex, the Pope was able to win more than 30,000 followers, an impressive start to his digital term.

Leo XIV., Who officially opened his Instagram account on May 13, 2025, published 17 photos from his first days as a Pope with his first post, including an appearance in Petersbazilica after the conclave. VOL.AT reports that the new Pope honored his predecessor, Franziskus, while he continues the digital tradition and brings in his own perspectives.

a new communication approach

The communication department of the Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will be actively present on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. His tweets are available under the existing account @Pontifex, which has around 52 million followers and published in nine languages. The change from @Franciscus to @Pontifex marks an important step in the digital strategy of the Vatican, which under Francis was considered "almost daily accompaniment". fnp.de emphasizes that the Pope plans to combine this active presence with its own style.

Leo XIV is 69 years old and has published over 400 posts on X before his election as a Pope, under the name "Deprevost". He also critically commented on important political questions, including decisions by Donald Trump. This is remarkable, since Leo XIV. With his social media practice, may be the first Pope to have an active social media past. fnp.de argues that this could be a turning point in the communication style of the Vatican.

preserve and redesign an inheritance

All contributions by Franziskus, which died in April 2025 at the age of 88, are archived and preserved under the title "Ad Memoriam". Leo XIV. Wishes that his peace message in the hearts of people worldwide and plans to enrich the digital world with a new perspective. His name, chosen in honor of Pope Leo XIII, who dealt primarily with social issues in the industrial revolution, reflects this approach. [VOL.AT] (https://www.vol.at/erster-social-media-post-papst-leo-xiv-friede-sei-mit-lühchen

In another context, Paolo Ruffini, the prefect of the Dicaster for Communication of the Vatican, presented a new document that illuminates the role of communication in the church and offers new perspectives for the digital world. He sums up that communication requires active, dialogical partners and not passive viewers, a philosophy that Pope Leo XIV could reflect in his future social media activities. Vaticannews