10-05-2025
Pope Leo XIV and the possible direction of his papacy
We have a pope who will build on what Pope Francis has initiated regarding the Church's synodality May 10, 2025
A priest speaks next to an image of Robert Francis Prevost, who became Pope Leo XIV on May 8, in front of the cathedral of Chiclayo in northern Peru on the day of his election as the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff. (Photo: AFP)
By Ruben C. Mendoza
As white smoke came out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, people gathered in St. Peter's Square erupted into applause. It was the signal that the cardinal electors in the conclave had just elected the next bishop of Rome.
Even though I was only watching the unfolding events on television, I noticed palpable excitement among the people eagerly awaiting the new pope.
After about an hour of waiting, the balcony curtains at St. Peter's Basilica were parted and its doors opened. The protodeacon, Dominique Mamberti, exclaimed, 'Habemus papam.' Several seconds later, Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) came out with a smile. He stood there silently, visibly emotional, waving to the crowd and acknowledging their cheers.
That Prevost chose the name Leo appears to point to where his heart is.
The last pope named Leo, Leo XIII, issued the first social encyclical, Rerum novarum , in 1891. In it, he argued for the rights and duties of workers in the context of the Industrial Revolution, including the right to work, the right to a just wage, and the right to form unions.
Nobody expected the Church at that time to do that.
While there has been no explanation for the choice of that name, I write this piece assuming that he had Leo XIII in mind. It is safe to say that a hallmark of his papacy will be the Catholic social tradition, teachings which, in my view, the world sorely needs to realize.
As a colleague wrote in Messenger, 'I am hopeful for the spirit of Rerum novarum .'
It is significant for me that Leo XIV's first words were, 'Peace be with all of you.' He went on to refer to Pope Francis's Urbi et Orbi 2025 speech, in which the departed pope called for peace in the world's conflict areas—Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Congo, and Sudan, among others.
In his speech, Leo XIV said he would walk with the people 'as one united Church, always seeking peace and justice.' It is not far-fetched that the work for peace will be one of his top priorities, a theme in the Catholic social tradition with more room for development.
Based on his first speech, Pope Leo XIV will likely continue Pope Francis's program.
Before the conclave, he was identified as sharing many of his predecessor's views. Listening to Pope Leo XIV's speech, one notices that the themes of bridge-building, dialogue, and inclusivity will characterize his pontificate, all of which were important for Pope Francis.
For example, Pope Leo XIV said, 'We must strive to be a missionary Church, one that builds bridges, embraces dialogue, and welcomes all with open arms. Let our presence be one of charity and communion, rooted in love.'
Pope Francis made similar assertions about becoming a missionary church. For him, a church is 'not a static church, but a missionary church that walks with her Lord through the streets of the world.'
Not only is the church to walk 'through the streets,' but Pope Francis called on the Christian community to become a 'field hospital' — a church that is close to the people and is a source of the healing of the world's wounds.
Moreover, Pope Francis envisioned a Catholic Church that always has its doors open 'to make others feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged.' So, it appears that inclusivity is an important characteristic of the Church for both popes.
Pope Leo XIV also stated in that same speech, 'To all the faithful in Rome, throughout Italy, and across the world: we must be a synodal Church that walks together, that seeks peace, charity, and draws near to those who suffer.'
I breathed a sigh of relief when he said those words, since I was afraid that the new pope would abandon Pope Francis' dream of a synodal Church. The path to synodality has only just begun and it will be so easy to change that course.
I am glad that Pope Leo XIV is a pope who will build on Pope Francis's initiatives regarding the Church's synodality.
It is a challenge for the Church, particularly if it is to be renewed by the Spirit, to truly listen to its members, particularly to the voices of those who are different and are bothered by Church members themselves.
Synodality demands a more active voice and participation from all its members as they work together to build up the Christian community and serve as a leaven in the world.
The fact that Pope Leo XIV did missionary work in Peru may prove critical to his sensitivity to the pastoral issues and concerns of the Global South. We need a pope who truly knows the problems encountered by those on the peripheries of society, an awareness that was present in Pope Francis.
I hope that his pastoral experiences in Peru have formed him enough to truly be in solidarity with the vulnerable among us, always having their best interests in his heart.
Today marks the beginning of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate. We can only say so much based on what happened on that balcony.
Nevertheless, a new pope offers another fresh start for the Church. As he continues Pope Francis' agenda, I hope that the support of the People of God and with God's grace, Pope Leo XIV will be a faithful instrument of God's peace and justice in today's
