Trump hosts Pope Leo XIV's MAGA brother at Mar-a-Lago holiday bash, calls him a 'special man'

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: President Donald Trump brought a dash of the Vatican to Mar-a-Lago earlier this week, hosting Pope Leo XIV’s brother at a Monday, December 29, celebration.

Among the guests were the pontiff’s older brother Lou Prevost and his wife Deborah, who were warmly welcomed by Trump in front of the assembled crowd. Video of the moment was later shared on TikTok by user palmbeach.socialite.

“We have a man here, a special man, he is the brother of the pope,” Trump told attendees. “And his wife, Deborah, and they’re just incredible people. And you know why I like them? Because when the pope was selected, they showed a picture of his brother standing in front of the house with MAGA all over it. So I said, ‘I love this guy.’ So it’s great to have you, Lou and Deborah, it’s great. We appreciate it.”

The clip was later posted to X by @CatholicArena.

Trump did not specify which image he was referencing, but Prevost, 74, has previously described himself as a 'MAGA type' after his family was thrust into the spotlight earlier this year.

Prevost's controversial comments

The election of Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by many Democrats, considering the pontiff’s known disagreements with Trump on issues such as migrant rights. He has also previously questioned Vice President JD Vance’s hard-right interpretation of Catholic doctrine.

His brother, however, has his own political leanings. As reported by the Daily Beast, Prevost’s Facebook activity revealed a steady stream of pro-Trump memes and messages, including a repost that referred to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a “c*nt.”

He reposted a video with the caption, “These f—king liberals crying about tariffs is just unreal. Do they not know that there is a thing called video? Just listen to what this drunk c–t has to say in the mid-90’s long before her husband had grindr dates."

Prevost has also taken aim at US allies and elected officials, calling for Democrats who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during Russia’s invasion to be arrested for treason. In other posts, he suggested allowing European allies to “go their own way into complete socialism and ultimately communism.”

But since his brother’s selection to the papacy, Prevost has said he plans to be more cautious with his online presence.

From Chicago roots to Vatican ceremonies

The Prevost brothers Louis, John, and Robert (now Pope Leo XIV) grew up in Chicago in what has been described as a traditional Catholic household. Louis Prevost has recalled that the pope’s calling appeared early.

“When he was six, he wanted to ‘play priest,’” he said, adding that family members and even strangers often told Robert, “You’re going to be pope someday."

Louis Prevost attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass at the Vatican on May 18, where the brothers shared an embrace following the ceremony. During the service, he was seated near Second Lady Usha Vance and Vice President JD Vance.

Prevost and his wife, Deborah, have also had face time with Trump before. The pair were photographed smiling alongside Trump and Vance in the Oval Office back in May. Vance, a Catholic convert, had famously received a lecture on compassion at the behest of Pope Francis shortly before Francis’ death last April.

The Mar-a-Lago party took place just hours after Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Florida estate.

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