US President Donald Trump hosted the brother of Pope Leo XIV. at a private New Year’s Eve gathering at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, praising him for his outspoken support of the MAGA movement and loyalty to the Republican leader.
Louis Martin Prevost, brother of the pope-elect, attended the event with his wife Deborah as Trump publicly welcomed them during the rally.
‘I love the guy’: Trump’s praise
In a speech to guests, Trump emphasized Prevost’s pro-MAGA stance and referenced a photo that circulated after the election of Pope Leo XIV.
“We have a man here, a special man, he’s the brother of the Pope,” Trump said. “And his wife Deborah, and they’re just incredible people. And you know why I like them? Because when the pope was chosen, they showed a picture of his brother standing outside the house with a MAGA.”
“So I said, ‘I love this guy.’ So it’s great to have you, Lou and Deborah. It’s great. We appreciate that,” Trump added.
Political contrast within the papal family
The appearance underscored the political contrast within the Pope’s family. While many Democrats welcomed the election of Pope Leo XIV — who has publicly disagreed with Trump on issues such as migrant rights and challenged Vice President JD Vance’s hard-line interpretation of Catholic doctrine — his brother Louis Prevost has been an outspoken supporter of the president.
Prevost, a Florida resident, shared a number of pro-Trump memes and messages on social media and frequently criticized Democrats, according to The Daily Beast.
Past controversy on social media
Prevost also highlighted past off-color and misogynistic social media posts aimed at Trump critics. He has since said he plans to be more careful online while his brother is pope.
Chicago education
The Prevost brothers – Louis, John and Robert, now Pope Leo XIV. – grew up in Chicago in a traditional Catholic family.
Louis Prevost said his youngest brother showed an early vocation to the priesthood. “When he was six, he wanted to play priest,” he recalled, adding that family members and even strangers often told Robert, “You’re going to be pope one day.”
Vatican appearances
Louis Prevost attended the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV on May 18. in the Vatican, where the brothers embraced after the ceremony. During the service, he sat near second lady Usha Vance and vice president JD Vance.
The meeting at Mar-a-Lago underscored Trump’s continued emphasis on celebrating political allies within the MAGA movement — even as those connections extend into unexpected global and religious circles.
