Wait, did the Pope just join the Barbz?! The internet went wild with a rumor that Pope Leo XIV was following Nicki Minaj on X, but hold your horses because this wild claim has been debunked!
Let’s dive into the truth behind this viral (and totally fake) story.
It all started after Pope Leo XIV, aka Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as the new pontiff in May 2025. This history-making moment, as he’s the first American-born Pope, was quickly followed by a tweet from the X account @DropPopNet. They claimed the new Pope had started following Nicki Minaj, complete with a screenshot showing her name on his alleged following list. The caption? “Pope Robert Francis Prevost has followed Nicki Minaj on X/Twitter.” Imagine the crossover!
But here’s the reality check: a simple search of the Pope’s actual follow list proves this claim is completely false. Nicki Minaj’s account is nowhere to be found. And to add another layer of clarity, @DropPopNet is a known parody pop culture account.
Case closed!
Now, while the Nicki Minaj follow was a hoax, let’s talk about the real Pope Leo XIV. He’s making waves, and people are curious about his stance on various issues. Experts say his choice of papal name signals a commitment to social justice, drawing parallels to Pope Leo XIII, who tackled workers’ rights during the Industrial Revolution.
His views on LGBT issues are still a bit unclear, but it’s believed he might be less supportive than his predecessor, Francis. However, he has shown support for blessings for same-sex couples, albeit with a caveat that bishops should interpret these directives based on their local context.
Climate change is also on his radar. Before becoming Pope, Cardinal Prevost urged for action, not just words, and even spoke about implementing eco-friendly measures at the Vatican. And in a progressive move, he supports allowing women to join the Dicastery for Bishops, recognizing their valuable perspective.
So, while the image of the Pope scrolling through Nicki Minaj’s tweets is just a funny internet fantasy, Pope Leo XIV is definitely a figure to watch. He’s already making headlines with his views and actions, and it’ll be interesting to see how his papacy unfolds!
