Trump - Pope Leo XIV clash: Here’s why the US President is praising Pope’s elder brother Louis and calling him a MAGA supporter

US President Donald Trump on Sunday, April 12, lambasted Pope Leo XIV over the US-born pontiff’s remarks on Washington’s war in Iran. The criticism followed Leo’s condemnation of the conflict and warnings against Trump's rhetoric.

In response, Trump said he does not “want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” in a Truth Social post.

In the same post, however, Trump added that he likes the pope’s brother Louis “much better,” saying, “because Louis is all MAGA.” The remark drew attention to the influencial family, particularly his older brother, Louis Martín Prevost.

Who is Louis Martín Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV?

Pope Leo XIV has two older brothers: John Joseph Prevost and Louis Martín Prevost. Louis, the eldest, lives in Port Charlotte, Florida, and is married to Deborah Prevost, as per Town and Country Magazine.

He served in the Navy, following in his father’s footsteps. Speaking about his younger brother’s achievements, Louis said in an interview with ABC, “I thought I had done traveling in the Navy, but, my God, he blew me away.”


He described Leo as "down to earth," having a good sense of humor and being "as smart as a whip."

Louis also recalled discussing the possibility of Leo’s election before the conclave. “We talked a little bit about it and I said you know what happens if you win? If they vote for you, are you going to accept it?” Louis recalls asking his brother before the conclave. “[He said] ‘I will accept it; it’s God’s will; it’s in his hands.’”

Political differences within the family

Louis Prevost and his brother hold different views on migration, though their relationship remains strong despite political differences.

As per the Catholic Herald, citing an ABC report, the 73-year-old Floridian described himself as a supporter of Trump’s MAGA movement and an “advocate of controlled immigration,” views that Pope Leo does not share. He added that he avoids speaking publicly on illegal migration “in order not to harm him."

Louis’s criticism of Nancy Pelosi

In an interview with Piers Morgan, Louis Prevost addressed backlash over a social media post critical of former congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and her husband, which included a slur. “Well, I posted it, and I wouldn’t have posted it if I didn’t kind of believe it.”

He added that since the controversy, he has been “very quiet” and has “bit his tongue” when sharing political views online so as not to create issues for his brother, despite his MAGA beliefs, he said in the televised interview.