I met the man who would become Pope Leo XIV in October 2023, standing outside the Vatican’s Synod Hall. From our brief conversation, it was clear that Cardinal Robert Prevost was a keen listener, thoughtful, and possessed a distinct presence.
This conversation occurred during a pivotal Vatican assembly focused on church reform—a multi-year process initiated by the late Pope Francis, which he continued to influence from his hospital bed as one of his final acts.
Inside the Synod Hall, participants like Cardinal Prevost sat at roundtables where everyone was given equal speaking time. This new format, introduced in 2023 and again in 2024, included voices from across the globe, notably women, marking a historic shift. For the first time, women had the opportunity to vote on the final document of the Synod, signaling a step toward greater inclusivity.
Just six months later, Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has transitioned from being one of many voices at the table to leading the Church at the helm, determined to continue the reform process with his steady, determined hand.
Fr. Tony Banks, a close friend of the new pope and Assistant General of the Order of St. Augustine, shared with CNN that Leo is a man of “great gentility” and a “great listener.” He believes that Pope Leo will work to solidify Pope Francis’ reforms “in very concrete ways, both in theology and practice.”
When Pope Leo appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica moments after his election, he made it clear that his papacy would focus on walking together with a united Church, in search of peace and justice, with both women and men working side by side.
Pope Leo XIV, though continuing Francis’ legacy, will do so in his own subtle yet firm style. At the age of 69, his election suggests that the cardinals see him as the leader capable of institutionalizing these reforms for the long haul, potentially over decades.
Central to Pope Leo’s agenda are vital questions surrounding the role of women, the exercise of power within the Church’s hierarchy, and the call for a more missionary Church that embraces challenges outside its comfort zone.
A potential counterweight to Trumpism, Pope Leo’s election as the first American pope places him at the global forefront, poised to offer a prophetic voice that contrasts sharply with the divisive rhetoric of the Trump administration. While Leo is a unifier who avoids confrontation, his focus on dialogue, bridge-building, and support for migrants offers a stark contrast to the policies of the previous American president.
In his first speech to the cardinals after his election, Pope Leo reaffirmed his “complete commitment” to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, the groundbreaking gathering of bishops from 1962 to 1965 that reshaped the modern Catholic Church.
He emphasized that this commitment involved “loving care for the least and the rejected” and “courageous and trusting dialogue” with the contemporary world, engaging with its diverse realities, including addressing the challenge to human dignity posed by Artificial Intelligence.
The Second Vatican Council sought to position the Church as a voice for the marginalized, a “prophetic voice,” especially in regions like Central and Latin America, where Pope Leo spent much of his life. His deep connection with these communities is reflected in his focus on social justice and his efforts to support the most vulnerable.
Fr. Tony Banks noted that Pope Leo is “very concerned with social issues and the marginalized,” often drawn to those on the “peripheries.” His background with the Augustinian Order, which emphasizes community building, aligns with his mission to foster inclusivity and compassion for the overlooked.
On social media, posts under Pope Leo’s new account often highlighted criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. While those close to him emphasize that he is not naturally confrontational, they also affirm that he will not shy away from standing firm for a just cause. Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, who has known Pope Leo for many years, remarked, “He’s not one to pick fights with people, but he’s not one to back down if the cause is just.”
A humble leader, Pope Leo is expected to take a measured approach on the church’s most divisive issues, such as same-sex blessings and the ordination of women, rather than enacting bold changes. In 2012, Cardinal Prevost delivered a speech that criticized what he saw as a media-driven “sympathy for anti-Christian lifestyle choices,” particularly same-sex couples and their families. However, by 2023, he acknowledged his evolving view, calling for the Church to be more welcoming and open.
Sister Nathalie Becquart, a Vatican official and close neighbor during his years overseeing bishop appointments, described Pope Leo as “easy to have a conversation with” and “a very simple, humble person.” As Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, he prioritized placing women in leadership roles within his diocese.
Like Pope Francis, Leo is unlikely to push for doctrinal changes but will take a firm stance on pressing social issues such as migration, peace, and the environment. Brother Mark O’Connor, a Catholic journalist, noted, “He’s not a man who’s going to tell you what he’s against, he’s going to tell you what he’s for. That’s the crucial thing about him.” O’Connor also pointed out that Pope Leo is “the opposite of a culture warrior” and believes that focusing on doctrine debates or dogmatic issues isn’t the way forward.
As the Church enters a new era, Pope Leo’s leadership will inevitably involve confronting the issue of clerical sexual abuse, a challenge that will require his steady, compassionate guidance.
Given his experience as a former leader of a religious order and his role as prefect of the Vatican’s office for bishops, Pope Leo XIV has had direct involvement in handling abuse cases. While some survivor groups have criticized his management of certain cases, the president of Peru’s bishops’ conference has lauded his ministry to abuse survivors.
Pope Leo also holds a doctorate in canon law, equipping him with the expertise necessary to ensure that existing church laws are enforced properly, particularly when it comes to investigating abuse cases and holding leaders accountable.
The new pope is also credited with playing a pivotal role in the suppression of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a powerful Peruvian group mired in allegations of abuse.
While traditional wisdom long suggested that a pope from the United States was improbable, Pope Leo XIV challenges that notion. With decades of experience in Latin America and a truly global perspective, he is often described as a “citizen of the world.”
In a time marked by increasing divisions, wars, and global conflict, the 2025 conclave has ushered in a new era for the Church with the election of Pope Leo. His papacy promises to be one of bridge-building and quiet yet profound prophecy.
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