Article Summary
Pope Leo XIV was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church, signaling a potential shift in style from his predecessor, Pope Francis. Leo’s choice of name is a deliberate reference to Pope Leo XIII, who was known for softening the church’s confrontational stance toward modernity. Leo is seen as ideologically aligned with Francis and has a record of prioritizing outreach to the poor and care for migrants. However, he also has more conservative elements, such as criticizing Western media for promoting “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.” His handling of clerical abuse cases during his time in Peru is expected to come under closer scrutiny now that he has ascended to the papacy.
What This Means for You
- Expect a potential change in leadership style from Pope Francis’ more outspoken approach to Pope Leo XIV’s quiet diplomacy.
- Prepare for continuing focus on social issues, particularly outreach to the poor and care for marginalized communities.
- Stay informed about any updates on investigations into clerical abuse cases during Leo’s time in Peru.
- Recognize that although Leo is more conservative on certain issues, such as same-sex families and the “homosexual lifestyle,” he supports Francis’ pastoral approach to allowing Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics.
Original Post
The new pope’s clothes, name, and international experience
“It could be said that Leo’s first appearance on the balcony meant: ‘I am not Francis, but Francis’ vision will continue.’ ”
Kurt Martens, who teaches at The Catholic University of America in Washington, said references in Leo’s speech to embracing the whole world as well as synodality were signs the new pope would continue to focus on the poor and those on the margins of societies.
Unlike Francis, who spurned many of the trappings of the papacy from the day he was elected, Leo wore the “mozzetta”, an elbow-length red cape, over his white cassock, suggesting a return to some degree of tradition. He also wore an ornate red and gold stole with illustrations of the four gospels in the New Testament over his shoulders, the gold pectoral cross that is traditionally offered to a pope when he accepts the office, and a white skullcap, known as a “zuchetto” or “pileolus.”
The last pope to take the name was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903. That Leo softened the church’s confrontational stance toward modernity, especially science and politics, and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought. His most famous encyclical, Rerum Novarum of 1891, addressed workers’ rights and capitalism at the beginning of the industrial revolution.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni told reporters the new Pope’s decision to be called Leo XIV was a deliberate reference to the previous Leo, although some academics speculated he could also have wanted to signal a strong line of continuity: Brother Leo was the 13th-century friar who was a great companion to St Francis of Assisi, the late pope’s namesake.
The name “is a deep sign of commitment to social issues”, Manhattan University’s chair of religious studies Natalia Imperatori-Lee said.
Where does he stand on key issues?
Though he has kept a low media profile, Leo is seen as ideologically aligned with Francis, particularly in prioritising outreach to the poor, care for migrants, and a less hierarchical vision of church leadership. He told the Vatican’s official news website last year that “the bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom”.
On women in the church, Leo’s views appear aligned with Francis’, who opened more leadership roles to them than any previous pontiff, while affirm
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