Pope Leo criticises nationalist politics at Sunday Mass, World News
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo criticised the emergence of nationalist political movements on Sunday (June 8), calling them unfortunate, without naming a specific country or national leader.
Leo, the first pope from the US, asked during a Mass with a crowd of tens of thousands in St Peter's Square that God would "open borders, break down walls (and) dispel hatred."
"There is no room for prejudice, for 'security' zones separating us from our neighbours, for the exclusionary mindset that, unfortunately, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms," said the pontiff.
Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected on May 8 to succeed the late Pope Francis as leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.
Before becoming pontiff, Prevost was not shy about criticising US President Donald Trump, sharing numerous disapproving posts about Trump and Vice President JD Vance on X in recent years.
The Vatican has not confirmed the new pope's ownership of the X account, which had the handle @drprevost, and was deactivated after Leo's election.
Francis, pope for 12 years, was a sharp critic of Trump. The late pope said in January that the president's plan to deport millions of migrants in the US during his second term was a "disgrace."
Earlier, Francis said Trump was "not Christian" because of his views on immigration.
"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Francis said when asked about Trump in 2016.
Leo was celebrating a Mass for Pentecost, one of the Church's most important holidays.
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AsiaOne
4 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Pope Leo criticises nationalist politics at Sunday Mass, World News
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo criticised the emergence of nationalist political movements on Sunday (June 8), calling them unfortunate, without naming a specific country or national leader. Leo, the first pope from the US, asked during a Mass with a crowd of tens of thousands in St Peter's Square that God would "open borders, break down walls (and) dispel hatred." "There is no room for prejudice, for 'security' zones separating us from our neighbours, for the exclusionary mindset that, unfortunately, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms," said the pontiff. Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected on May 8 to succeed the late Pope Francis as leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church. Before becoming pontiff, Prevost was not shy about criticising US President Donald Trump, sharing numerous disapproving posts about Trump and Vice President JD Vance on X in recent years. The Vatican has not confirmed the new pope's ownership of the X account, which had the handle @drprevost, and was deactivated after Leo's election. Francis, pope for 12 years, was a sharp critic of Trump. The late pope said in January that the president's plan to deport millions of migrants in the US during his second term was a "disgrace." Earlier, Francis said Trump was "not Christian" because of his views on immigration. "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Francis said when asked about Trump in 2016. Leo was celebrating a Mass for Pentecost, one of the Church's most important holidays. [[nid:718861]]
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Straits Times
‘A beautiful experience': Singapore Cardinal William Goh on being part of the conclave
Singaporean Cardinal William Goh was among the 133 cardinals who participated in the conclave to elect the new pope. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY SINGAPORE – Amid the cheering in St Peter's Square and excitement from Catholics across the world on May 8 , the election of a new pope also brought about another element: surprise. The newly elected Pope Leo XIV – or Cardinal Robert Prevost as he was known then – became the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Church. Within the hallowed walls of the Sistine Chapel in Rome , where the election process known as the conclave took place, the surprise was not lost on Singaporean William Goh , who was one of the 133 cardinals who took part in the voting. 'He was not one of the well-known candidates for the papacy... and most of us did not know him except for those perhaps from Latin America or Rome,' said Cardinal Goh, referring to Pope Leo. But discussions about the pope's nationality do not matter, he said, as the pontiff's role is to be a symbol of unity and to serve the Church and everyone else. Cardinal Goh became the first Singaporean to vote for a new head of the Roman Catholic Church. Now back in Singapore, the 67-year-old archbishop described the experience as 'beautiful' during an interview with The Straits Times on June 4 . 'I went in without knowing exactly what I would be doing, and how this whole process would evolve,' he said. '(But) I went in with a great sense of responsibility that being one of the 133 electors, the person we chose to be next pope would have serious implications – not just for the Church, but for the world.' Although Pope Leo was elected in just two days, the preparation process that preceded the vote took nine days, when all 252 cardinals – both electors and non-electors – gathered to share with one another their views, concerns and challenges that each country faces. 'We come from all over the world; we have different views of what we think the new pope should do and can do, because we come from diverse circumstances,' said Cardinal Goh, adding that he felt this period was the most important part of the election process. 'But we are all agreeable that the pope must be one that can promote unity within the Church and peace among nations.' Informal interactions between the cardinals during breaks or at dinner allowed them to get to know one another better. 'We never had the chance to meet each other and to hear from one another, so it was a very beautiful moment, and for me, the most enriching part of the whole experience,' Cardinal Goh said. The 2025 conclave was a historic moment not just for Singapore, but also for Asia. There were 23 cardinals from the region present, reportedly the most in the history of the conclave, a process that dates back to the Middle Ages. 'In the past, most of the cardinals came from Europe. But the church has become too euro-centric, which is not the universal church today,' said Cardinal Goh, adding that Christianity has been growing in Asia and Africa. The religion has been declining in many parts of Europe, but there has been a revival of faith, especially within younger people in the region, he said. As such, the late Pope Francis' move to pick cardinals from across the world was important in helping the Church preserve its Catholicity, he added. The Argentinian pontiff, who died in April , was known for his humility and advocacy for the poor and marginalised. When deciding whom to vote for as the new pope, Cardinal Goh said he felt that the world today needed someone who would bring unity not just to the world, but also within the Church. 'But of course, unity doesn't mean uniformity,' he said, adding that unity also recognises diversity, which should be encouraged as long as it is consistent with scripture. 'It is in diversity that we really see the richness of the Church... the different cultures, liturgies, rites and ways of living out the pastoral mission in affluent countries, in poor countries, countries under oppression and discrimination.' Cardinal Goh posing for a picture near St Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 5, before the conclave began. PHOTO: REUTERS Unity should also involve clarity of doctrine, said Cardinal Goh, who cautioned against a form of inclusiveness that allows anyone to do whatever they want. 'The Church is not a clubhouse, where you can choose to swim, sing or play in the casino. The Church is where all of us are members of this body of Christ, (and) we believe in the gospel. We want to live out that teaching,' he said. 'Inclusivity means all are welcome... So long as you know that you are here not to change the gospel to suit your own preference, but that you will change your life to suit the gospel. That, for me, is inclusivity.' The conclave has long been the subject of much speculation and intrigue, due to the shroud of secrecy surrounding the voting process. But the death of Pope Francis also sparked strong interest in a different conclave – the Oscar-winning film starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci. Viewership of the movie reportedly spiked 283 per cent after the pope's death. Parts of the movie, such as the tight security, strict ban on bringing in any digital devices and meetings between the cardinals before the conclave to share their views, are true, said Cardinal Goh, who watched it at The Projector with his staff. But other parts are over-exaggerated, he added. Cardinals do not try to manipulate the situation, lobby one group against another or have secret meetings at night. He said that once the conclave began, the cardinals were busy with masses and voting rounds, adding that their day would start at around 8am and end at 9pm. 'We are too tired to be able to hold all these other meetings at night.' As the world was introduced to Pope Leo on May 8, Cardinal Goh stood alongside his fellow cardinals on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica while thousands cheered from below. Witnessing this was very inspiring, he said, adding that the response was 'one of deep faith, unity, support and joy'. Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appearing on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 8 to greet the thousands of faithful who had gathered. PHOTO: REUTERS In describing the new pontiff, Cardinal Goh said he found Pope Leo to be very prayerful and meditative. '(He) is someone who really wants to listen, learn and try to understand... He doesn't react suddenly and is a man who thinks through what he wants to say,' Cardinal Goh said. For non-Catholics who had followed the conclave, the cardinal said he hopes they can come to appreciate what the Church is doing for humanity, and that it welcomes everyone. 'We want to promote authentic life, respect for every human person, and respect for people of other religions and cultures,' he said. 'And we can work together in unity for the good of humanity.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Straits Times
Pope Leo condemns ‘exclusionary mindset' in Pentecost address
Pope Leo said the Church 'must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race'. PHOTO: AFP VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV exhorted the faithful on June 8 to reject an 'exclusionary mindset' he said had led to nationalism around the world. Pope Leo's homily did not call out current events and conflicts nor identify individual leaders. But his choice of language was significant, encouraging people to 'open borders' within their hearts and minds. The address marked a month since the former Robert Prevost from Chicago was elected Pope, and came during a Sunday mass to celebrate Pentacost held under sunny skies in St Peter's Square. Before mass, the 69-year-old pontiff made a turn around the sprawling Baroque square in his popemobile to the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, estimated by the Vatican at around 80,000 people. Pope Leo said the Church 'must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race'. People must move 'beyond our fear of those who are different', he said, noting that the Holy Spirit 'breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred...' 'Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for 'security' zones separating us from our neighbours, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms.' Pope Leo did not speak of physical borders but his focus on barriers and walls evoked the politics of US President Donald Trump, who has vowed to stem illegal immigration into the United States. The Pope also said the Holy Spirit was an antidote to toxic relationships marked by 'suspicion, prejudice or the desire to manipulate others'. 'With great pain,' he cited 'cases where relationships are marked by an unhealthy desire for domination, an attitude that often leads to violence, as is shown, tragically, by numerous recent cases of femicide'. In Italy, a slew of femicides have become front-page news over the last month, including the killing of a 14-year girl by her boyfriend last week. Pope Leo also cited the dangers of social media, saying it risked making people 'ever more alone' within a 'vortex of individualism'. 'Constantly connected, yet incapable of 'networking'. Always immersed in a crowd, yet confused and solitary travellers,' he said. Since his election, Pope Leo has offered to mediate between leaders of countries at war and earlier this week, he had his first telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Several speeches made by the new pontiff – including among his first words from St Peter's Basilica when he became Pope on May 8 – have focused on building bridges between individuals and peoples. Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
