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Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Fraught Relationship Between a Pope and His Home
Americans packed St. Peter's Square on Sunday to see one of their own begin his reign as pope. Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Church leaders joined scores of American Catholics—many bearing U.S. flags—as the Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV celebrated the traditional Mass of Inauguration. The Americans' enthusiasm reflects a rare sense of unity in a deeply polarized national Church. Since Leo became pope, both its progressive and conservative factions have mostly celebrated him (some berserk corners of the internet notwithstanding). Vance, whose boss had a famously strained relationship with the last pope, emerged from a recent closed-door meeting with Leo seemingly committed to collaboration: 'We're going to find some very important things to work together on.' If Leo's recent predecessors are any guide, however, this American Catholic comity likely won't last. Since 1978, when John Paul II became the first non-Italian pope in some 450 years, every pontiff has had an ambivalent, often-difficult relationship with his native country. Each in his own way broke the centuries-long pattern established by a procession of Italian popes who were intimately involved in their homeland's politics and Church life: as opponents of Roman emperors, as secular rulers during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as prominent players in modern Italy. Pope Paul VI, the last Italian pope (other than the very brief papacy of John Paul I), reportedly wept at news of the 1978 assassination of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro: The two had known each other since university. [Read: The Conclave just did the unthinkable] The last three popes each chose very different paths between Rome and home—sometimes confrontational, sometimes aloof. Together, they offer potential models for how Leo will relate to the U.S. Church, American political leadership, and the United States more broadly. After Jorge Bergoglio left his native Argentina in 2013 to attend the conclave that made him Pope Francis, he never returned. Francis visited several countries nearby and was not shy about engaging—or challenging—politicians and Church leaders around the world. But he remained effectively silent about Argentina, even as it cycled through three contrasting presidencies and underwent a period of extended political and economic instability. Francis rarely demurred at a question, but he was circumspect, even evasive, when asked why he never visited home. Perhaps Francis felt that he could not intervene in Argentina with the same moral influence he frequently sought and enjoyed elsewhere. He was widely beloved there, but he left a mixed legacy. Argentinian Catholics had long debated whether Francis did enough as a local bishop to defend priests and Church interests during the country's so-called Dirty War. Moreover, during his time as the Jesuit provincial, some critics viewed him as authoritarian. Before he became archbishop of Buenos Aires, the local hierarchy sent him far from the capital—an assignment generally considered to be a form of exile. Leo's relationship to America, by contrast, is less complicated, not least because he spent nearly his entire adult life elsewhere. His work as a missionary in Peru and his global travels as the head of the Augustinian religious order made him a 'citizen of the world,' as New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said after the conclave. 'Where he comes from,' Dolan continued, is 'secondary.' True enough, theologically and ecclesially, but one has the sense that Dolan might have been trying to create breathing space for his countryman, to help him avoid being pulled into their home's perpetual politicking. For his part, Leo has expressed much more interest in sustaining unity than siding definitively with either the American left or right. Perhaps this will prompt him to stay out of U.S. affairs—or at least take a lighter touch than Francis did with America. But Leo's repeated emphasis on dialogue in the early days of his papacy suggests he won't be content to simply keep his distance, as Francis did with Argentina. In staying away from home, Francis took the opposite approach of his immediate predecessor, Benedict XVI, who made a concerted effort to engage with his native Germany. Benedict clashed theologically with its generally liberal Catholics, both before becoming pope in 2005—for example, in high-profile disputes with the dissident theologian Hans Kung—and also as pontiff, when the German Church began emerging as a vanguard of progressive Catholic causes. As pope, Benedict visited the country three times, most notably in 2011, when he addressed the Bundestag. Though he was well received there, his visit spurred public protests and boycotts in response to Church teachings about sexual morality and national abuse scandals, including ones that Benedict had been accused of mishandling before becoming pope. It's tempting to read into Leo's papacy the same kind of ideological divisions that framed Benedict's relationship with Germany: Whereas Benedict was more conservative than much of Catholic Germany, some observers see Leo as further left than U.S. Catholic leaders. But Leo doesn't have the doctrinaire reputation that Benedict did when he became pope. Moreover, Leo's missionary work kept him from being enmeshed in American religious affairs and politics like Benedict was in Germany's. By engaging in the public life of his native country, Benedict was following the example of his predecessor, John Paul II. No modern pope has—indeed few popes ever have—had as much of an impact on their homeland as John Paul II did on Poland. An estimated 11 million Poles came to see John Paul during his first papal trip to Poland, in 1979—roughly one-third of the population. They saw in their native son a confident Christian witness against communism and a reminder of their country's religious roots, which its atheist regime had covered up. Historians and papal biographers alike count the visit as a turning point not only for Communist Poland but also in the Cold War itself. The trip inspired the Solidarity workers' movement, one of the most successful opposition movements in the Soviet Union. Indeed, Lech Walesa signed the 1980 Gdansk Agreement, which granted Solidarity formal status as a trade union, with a pen commemorating the pope's visit the year before. Yet even someone as uniformly adored as John Paul in Poland wasn't always welcomed as a source of moral authority and guidance. His first trip to Poland after the Cold War, in 1991, received a cooler and smaller response. John Paul challenged his fellow Poles to live out their newly gained freedoms in ways consistent with the Gospel and Catholic traditions, as opposed to the free market, free love, and fast food—a message that proved not as stirring as his homilies and speeches against communism. Perhaps more divisive for Poles was his opposition to abortion, an issue he addressed in personal terms on that trip, which took place during an ongoing debate about a proposed national ban. 'I cannot be indifferent to this crisis,' he said. 'I too am a son of this land.' One ordinary Pole, interviewed by The New York Times, said that she disagreed with John Paul on the issue, but her broader view of him was unchanged: 'He's our pope, and I love him.' This pride and affection, uncoupled from obedience to papal authority, could provide the clearest analogy to the many American Catholics who will likely disagree with Leo's promulgation of Church teaching, whether about abortion or immigration, but nonetheless express enthusiasm about one of their own occupying the Chair of Saint Peter. A final model for understanding Leo's potential approach to America comes not from past popes but from his own relationship with Peru, his chosen country. There Leo witnessed several national crises firsthand, as Matthew Casey-Pariseault, a scholar of Latin American religion and public life, has observed: 'a bloody civil war, a decade-long dictatorship and an unstable post-dictatorship period that has so far led to three former presidents being handed prison sentences.' While many in the U.S. worry about an impending constitutional crisis—perhaps even civil war, a gradual descent into authoritarianism, or dictatorship—an American with experience of all of these prospects suddenly has an unrivaled platform to address them. [Read: The Pope's most revealing choice so far] But don't necessarily expect him to do so, at least not directly. Leo has shown himself to be more reserved than most of his modern predecessors. Indeed, so far as pope, he has offered only a single direct statement about his native land. When a reporter asked if he 'had any message for the United States,' he offered a standard blessing and just one more word, Whitman-like in its mysterious fullness: 'Many.' Article originally published at The Atlantic
Atlantic
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Atlantic
How Will Pope Leo Address America? Look to His Predecessors.
Americans packed St. Peter's Square on Sunday to see one of their own begin his reign as pope. Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Church leaders joined scores of American Catholics—many bearing U.S. flags—as the Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV celebrated the traditional Mass of Inauguration. The Americans' enthusiasm reflects a rare sense of unity in a deeply polarized national Church. Since Leo became pope, both its progressive and conservative factions have mostly celebrated him (some berserk corners of the internet notwithstanding). Vance, whose boss had a famously strained relationship with the last pope, emerged from a recent closed-door meeting with Leo seemingly committed to collaboration: 'We're going to find some very important things to work together on.' If Leo's recent predecessors are any guide, however, this American Catholic comity likely won't last. Since 1978, when John Paul II became the first non-Italian pope in some 450 years, every pontiff has had an ambivalent, often-difficult relationship with his native country. Each in his own way broke the centuries-long pattern established by a procession of Italian popes who were intimately involved in their homeland's politics and Church life: as opponents of Roman emperors, as secular rulers during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as prominent players in modern Italy. Pope Paul VI, the last Italian pope (other than the very brief papacy of John Paul I), reportedly wept at news of the 1978 assassination of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro: The two had known each other since university. The last three popes each chose very different paths between Rome and home—sometimes confrontational, sometimes aloof. Together, they offer potential models for how Leo will relate to the U.S. Church, American political leadership, and the United States more broadly. After Jorge Bergoglio left his native Argentina in 2013 to attend the conclave that made him Pope Francis, he never returned. Francis visited several countries nearby and was not shy about engaging—or challenging—politicians and Church leaders around the world. But he remained effectively silent about Argentina, even as it cycled through three contrasting presidencies and underwent a period of extended political and economic instability. Francis rarely demurred at a question, but he was circumspect, even evasive, when asked why he never visited home. Perhaps Francis felt that he could not intervene in Argentina with the same moral influence he frequently sought and enjoyed elsewhere. He was widely beloved there, but he left a mixed legacy. Argentinian Catholics had long debated whether Francis did enough as a local bishop to defend priests and Church interests during the country's so-called Dirty War. Moreover, during his time as the Jesuit provincial, some critics viewed him as authoritarian. Before he became archbishop of Buenos Aires, the local hierarchy sent him far from the capital—an assignment generally considered to be a form of exile. Leo's relationship to America, by contrast, is less complicated, not least because he spent nearly his entire adult life elsewhere. His work as a missionary in Peru and his global travels as the head of the Augustinian religious order made him a 'citizen of the world,' as New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said after the conclave. 'Where he comes from,' Dolan continued, is 'secondary.' True enough, theologically and ecclesially, but one has the sense that Dolan might have been trying to create breathing space for his countryman, to help him avoid being pulled into their home's perpetual politicking. For his part, Leo has expressed much more interest in sustaining unity than siding definitively with either the American left or right. Perhaps this will prompt him to stay out of U.S. affairs—or at least take a lighter touch than Francis did with America. But Leo's repeated emphasis on dialogue in the early days of his papacy suggests he won't be content to simply keep his distance, as Francis did with Argentina. In staying away from home, Francis took the opposite approach of his immediate predecessor, Benedict XVI, who made a concerted effort to engage with his native Germany. Benedict clashed theologically with its generally liberal Catholics, both before becoming pope in 2005—for example, in high-profile disputes with the dissident theologian Hans Kung—and also as pontiff, when the German Church began emerging as a vanguard of progressive Catholic causes. As pope, Benedict visited the country three times, most notably in 2011, when he addressed the Bundestag. Though he was well received there, his visit spurred public protests and boycotts in response to Church teachings about sexual morality and national abuse scandals, including ones that Benedict had been accused of mishandling before becoming pope. It's tempting to read into Leo's papacy the same kind of ideological divisions that framed Benedict's relationship with Germany: Whereas Benedict was more conservative than much of Catholic Germany, some observers see Leo as further left than U.S. Catholic leaders. But Leo doesn't have the doctrinaire reputation that Benedict did when he became pope. Moreover, Leo's missionary work kept him from being enmeshed in American religious affairs and politics like Benedict was in Germany's. By engaging in the public life of his native country, Benedict was following the example of his predecessor, John Paul II. No modern pope has—indeed few popes ever have—had as much of an impact on their homeland as John Paul II did on Poland. An estimated 11 million Poles came to see John Paul during his first papal trip to Poland, in 1979—roughly one-third of the population. They saw in their native son a confident Christian witness against communism and a reminder of their country's religious roots, which its atheist regime had covered up. Historians and papal biographers alike count the visit as a turning point not only for Communist Poland but also in the Cold War itself. The trip inspired the Solidarity workers' movement, one of the most successful opposition movements in the Soviet Union. Indeed, Lech Walesa signed the 1980 Gdansk Agreement, which granted Solidarity formal status as a trade union, with a pen commemorating the pope's visit the year before. Yet even someone as uniformly adored as John Paul in Poland wasn't always welcomed as a source of moral authority and guidance. His first trip to Poland after the Cold War, in 1991, received a cooler and smaller response. John Paul challenged his fellow Poles to live out their newly gained freedoms in ways consistent with the Gospel and Catholic traditions, as opposed to the free market, free love, and fast food—a message that proved not as stirring as his homilies and speeches against communism. Perhaps more divisive for Poles was his opposition to abortion, an issue he addressed in personal terms on that trip, which took place during an ongoing debate about a proposed national ban. 'I cannot be indifferent to this crisis,' he said. 'I too am a son of this land.' One ordinary Pole, interviewed by The New York Times, said that she disagreed with John Paul on the issue, but her broader view of him was unchanged: 'He's our pope, and I love him.' This pride and affection, uncoupled from obedience to papal authority, could provide the clearest analogy to the many American Catholics who will likely disagree with Leo's promulgation of Church teaching, whether about abortion or immigration, but nonetheless express enthusiasm about one of their own occupying the Chair of Saint Peter. A final model for understanding Leo's potential approach to America comes not from past popes but from his own relationship with Peru, his chosen country. There Leo witnessed several national crises firsthand, as Matthew Casey-Pariseault, a scholar of Latin American religion and public life, has observed: 'a bloody civil war, a decade-long dictatorship and an unstable post-dictatorship period that has so far led to three former presidents being handed prison sentences.' While many in the U.S. worry about an impending constitutional crisis—perhaps even civil war, a gradual descent into authoritarianism, or dictatorship—an American with experience of all of these prospects suddenly has an unrivaled platform to address them. But don't necessarily expect him to do so, at least not directly. Leo has shown himself to be more reserved than most of his modern predecessors. Indeed, so far as pope, he has offered only a single direct statement about his native land. When a reporter asked if he 'had any message for the United States,' he offered a standard blessing and just one more word, Whitman-like in its mysterious fullness: 'Many.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congratulates Pope Leo XIV inauguration in letter
SALT LAKE CITY () — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was one of several global religions that attended the Mass of Inauguration for Pope Leo XIV, the of the Catholic Church. On Sunday, May 18, Pope Leo XIV officially opened his pontificate with the Mass of Inauguration, during which he vowed to work for unity in a polarized Catholic Church and world. The Associated Press reports that Leo said in the world. The Mass of Inauguration was attended by several different religious representatives from around the world, including the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ. In addition to attending the Mass, of also joined Pope Leo XIV and other global faith representatives for a private audience on Monday, May 19. This Utah city is one of 2025's hottest summer travel destinations: WalletHub During the private audience, Holland presented a congratulatory letter from . In the letter, the Utah religious leaders sent their 'warmest regards' to the newly elected pope. 'We deeply appreciate our longstanding relationship with the Catholic Church and the many ways we have worked together to relieve suffering around the globe,' the First Presidency wrote. 'We look forward to continuing our work towards a world where peace, human life and dignity, and religious freedom are cherished and protected.' The full letter from the First Presidency, which is led by President Russell M. Nelson, can be found below: Your Holiness: On behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we send our warmest regards upon your election as the Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. This vital responsibility requires great wisdom, humility, strength, and compassion. Your lifetime of faith and admirable character leave you well prepared to answer this call to serve God`s children. We deeply appreciate our longstanding relationship with the Catholic Church and the many ways we have worked together to relieve suffering around the globe. We look forward to continuing our work towards a world where peace, human life and dignity, and religious freedom are cherished and protected. We share your commitment to follow the example of Jesus Christ and welcome further opportunities to collaborate in caring for those in need. May the Lord guide and sustain you as you embark on this weighty new ministry that is so vital and needed in the world today. – A letter addressed to Pope Leo XIV from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Lagoon blurs past and future with 3 new rides and a saloon for 2025 Which SUV makes the best land yacht? White House reacts to former President Biden's cancer diagnosis Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congratulates Pope Leo XIV inauguration in letter Vance: Putin 'doesn't quite know how' to get out of war in Ukraine Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina travel to Rome for Pope Leo inauguration mass as President pays pontiff ‘best wishes'
PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have travelled to Rome to attend the Inauguration of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. The Mass of Inauguration is set to kick off at 10am in St Peter's Square to officially begin the Pontificate of Advertisement 2 President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have travelled to attend Pope Leo's Inauguration Mass Credit: PA 2 Newly elected Pope Leo XIV set to begin his Pontificate Credit: Reuters During the ceremony, the new pontiff is given the pallium and the fisherman's ring as symbols of his new authority - but this may be slightly tweaked as every pope is free to make it more personal. US Vice President It is expected that In the afternoon, the President and Sabina will visit St Isidore's College in Advertisement READ MORE ON POPE LEO XIV The Franciscan Community are this year celebrating the 400th anniversary of the College, which was founded by Irish Franciscan Luke Wadding in 1625. In a statement following the announcement of Pope Leo's election, he said: "May I, as President of Ireland, extend my warmest congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election as successor to "This is an immensely significant moment for all those of faith and goodwill around the world who look to the Papacy for spiritual guidance, moral clarity, and global leadership at a time described by his predecessor Pope Francis as needing the vocation of diplomacy. "Pope Leo XIV assumes this important role at a time of great challenges for the world. Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Exclusive "I extend Pope Leo my very best wishes as he begins his Pontificate, and I welcome his statement that he is prepared to lead with compassion, wisdom, and an enduring commitment to the values of peace, justice, and human dignity. 'The final Christmas message of my terms' - Michael D Higgins shares 'special tribute' in last ever festive address "In his words so far, he has given priority for the need for building the mind and practice of peace. "Ireland enjoys a long-standing and deeply rooted connection with the Holy See. "It is founded on shared values of interdependence, and the responsibility that goes with it. Advertisement "We in Ireland very much look forward to maintaining and deepening that relationship with Pope Leo, as we continue to share and work together on the project of fostering dialogue and understanding between peoples and nations. "It is my sincere hope that under Pope Leo's leadership, the Holy See will continue to play a central role in promoting global solidarity, addressing the pressing issues of poverty, inequality, conflict, and climate change — challenges that transcend borders and demand collective action from the international community. "On behalf of the people of Ireland, I wish Pope Leo every success and strength for his Pontificate.'
Economic Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Economic Times
Pope Leo XIV inauguration mass: Date, time, place, live streaming and all top leaders who will attend
The Vatican is set for a momentous event worldwide as Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever American pope, is officially inaugurated. Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass will be conducted at the centre of Vatican City, where world leaders, royalty, and believers will be gathered. The event is expected to attract tens of thousands of schedule for the Mass of Inauguration, which marks the formal start of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, is announced by the Holy See. The ceremony denotes the beginning of his papacy. The papal inauguration ceremony for Pope Leo XIV, who was elected as the new pope on May 8, is scheduled for this week. This Sunday, May 18, will mark the papal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. His inaugural Mass is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at 10 a.m. Rome time in St. Peter's Square, as per a report by the Vatican News. Usually, the new Pope and other Catholic Church leaders visit St. Peter's tomb inside the Basilica before the mass starts. Following the event, the deacons present two items: the pallium, an ecclesiastical vestment that represents the new Pope's assumption of the papacy, and a fisherman's ring. ALSO READ: Reports say King Charles is seriously ill and has refused chemotherapy for a less invasive cancer treatment, desperate to meet Harry The official start of the Pope's term is marked by this ceremony, which is anticipated to last two hours. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people are anticipated to attend Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square. The service, which officially ushers in the new pontiff's pontificate, brings together religious leaders, world leaders, and royalty for yet another spectacular are all the top leaders who are going to be there, as per a report by Sky to Buckingham Palace, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, will attend the inauguration on King Charles' Prince William represented the King at Francis' funeral, it is customary for other royals to represent the monarch in St. Peter's Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended Francis' funeral with his wife Victoria, but it is unclear if he will return to the Vatican on Yermak, a top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the leader would be open to holding talks with other world leaders while at the Donald Trump will attend the first-ever American pope's inauguration mass has not yet been confirmed by his visiting Italy last month and meeting Pope Francis the day before he passed away, JD Vance will return to the Vatican for the mass, according to his office. Vice President Vance's office said that he will lead the U.S. delegation to Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass in Vatican City on lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Rubio's wife, Jeanette Rubio, will accompany the vice president to the inauguration of the first American order to "meet with other international leaders to discuss deepening trade, commerce, and cultural ties," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that he will be attending. According to his office, he will be in Rome for three days starting on Vatican made it relatively simple to follow the conclave to choose the new pope this month by providing a livestream on YouTube that ran around the papal inauguration will be streamed live for free, and a replay will be accessible afterwards, as per a report by Town & can anticipate live coverage from Vatican City on all of the major news networks. Most networks offer live feeds online for those who are unable to watch on TV by logging into their respective streaming time is Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass?The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. (Rome time) on Sunday, May 18, in St. Peter's Square. How do I watch the Pope's inauguration? You can watch it live on Vatican News' YouTube channel or via most major news network streams. A replay will be available later as well.
