Following his election on May 8, Pope Leo XIV deleted his personal social media accounts and made his first official post as pontiff on May 13, sharing a message of peace in multiple languages through the Vatican's Instagram and X accounts. The move came amid attention to his past social media activity, including a deleted post critical of Vice President JD Vance.

“Social media can be a minefield for divisive commentary, so I imagine he’ll use it sparingly, perhaps for simple, pastoral messages (and yes, delivered on the official pope account) like holiday greetings, but not for anything controversial,” Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history and political science, tells USA Today.

In another USA Today article, “Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass with cardinals,” Thompson weighs in on the Pope's choice for a name. “Leo is a powerful choice,” says Thompson. “Leo XIII is considered the father of Catholic social teaching. This signals a potential emphasis on justice, labor, and the church’s role in the modern world.”