When Louis Prevost walked into the Oval Office on Tuesday, he was met with smiles, cameras, and a presidential embrace.

Louis Prevost, the older brother of newly elected Pope Leo XIV and a longtime supporter of former President Donald Trump, met with Trump and Vice President JD Vance following his return from the Vatican as part of a U.S. delegation to the papal inauguration, the Daily Mail reported.

Prevost, a 73-year-old retired Navy veteran from Florida, was invited to the White House after Trump publicly spoke of his eagerness to meet him. The president had recently remarked he wanted to “shake [Prevost’s] hand” and “give him a big hug” after learning of his pro-Trump advocacy. The meeting included Prevost’s wife, Deborah, and was later confirmed and shared in an official photo posted by the White House.

“Louis Prevost and his wife, Deborah, met President Trump in the Oval Office,” said a White House official. “It was a great meeting, and they left with Bibles in hand!” The occasion appeared informal yet celebratory, symbolizing a growing personal connection between Trump and members of the Prevost family.

Trump’s interest in meeting Prevost may have been sparked by the recent global attention surrounding Louis' younger brother, Robert Prevost, who was elected Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff, formerly a cardinal, assumed the papacy on May 19 at an inaugural Mass attended by international dignitaries, including the official U.S. delegation.

Pilgrimage to the Vatican brings family into the spotlight

Louis Prevost was part of that U.S. group alongside Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both of whom were accompanied by their spouses. After the Mass in Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV greeted the American delegation warmly and shared a personal hug with his older brother.

The meeting between the siblings, covered widely in the press, drew interest not only because of their new public roles but also due to their differing political outlooks. While Louis has frequently expressed conservative views and support for Trump on social media, his brother, now Pope Leo XIV, had previously shared online remarks that were critical of both Trump and Vance.

Despite those ideological differences, Louis has been outspoken in defending his brother's approach to leading the Catholic Church. “He’s not left, he’s not right,” he said in an interview, noting that the new pontiff prefers balanced, centrist solutions and seeks to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Social media silence follows papal election

In recent days, Louis has shifted his behavior online, acknowledging that his role as the pope’s sibling comes with new responsibilities. “I can tell you, since then, I’ve been very quiet, biting my tongue,” he said when asked about his previous political posts, which had often involved jabs at Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi.

Prevost noted he once enjoyed provoking political discussion and even compared his online style to Trump’s, saying the former president often "says things just to stir the pot." While he admitted that he no longer feels free to post as freely as before, he emphasized that he remains committed to his beliefs and support for the MAGA movement.

Adding an unexpected historical footnote, Prevost said he and Steve Bannon, another key Trump ally, once served on the same Navy ship. Though he’s unsure if Bannon remembers him, Louis recalled what Bannon was like during their shared service years and seemed to relish the connection.

Looking ahead to a possible papal visit

At the papal inauguration, the U.S. delegation presented Pope Leo XIV with a Chicago Bears jersey and a personal letter from Trump inviting him to visit the United States. The moment symbolized the administration’s intent to cultivate a relationship with the Vatican under its new leadership.

While Trump and Pope Leo have yet to meet, Louis weighed in on what that future encounter might look like. "If and when he meets with President Trump," he said, "I don't doubt there will be some bumps in the discussion and some heated conversations."

The contrast between President Trump’s overt admiration for Louis and the pope’s prior criticism of Trump’s political allies underscores the nuanced dynamic unfolding between personal and political ties. Nevertheless, the Prevost brothers appear committed to maintaining mutual respect in their respective roles.

Family, faith, and politics find an uneasy balance

Despite skepticism among some conservative Catholics about Pope Leo XIV’s election, Louis has stepped up as both a public defender of his brother and a loyal Trump supporter. His dual identity has drawn unique attention, placing him in a high-profile intersection of faith and politics.

Although cautious about overstepping, Louis has said he doesn't plan to hide or walk away from his views. “I don't want to create waves that don't need to be there because I’m a MAGA type and I have my beliefs,” he said in the interview. His allegiance to Trump remains consistent, though tempered by his new public visibility.

Whether future conversations between Trump and Pope Leo XIV will lead to common ground or sharpen their differences remains to be seen. As Louis Prevost navigates his spotlight as both a devoted brother and political insider, his story continues to bridge two very different worlds.