Breaking the Mold: Leo XIV Steps into the Papacy as a Politically-Minded Pope
Church scholar anticipates Leo XIV to assume a politically-oriented papacy.
Pope Leo XIV claims the mantle of the Catholic Church as its 280th leader, and church historian Hubert Wolf expects this new pope to be anything but a carbon copy of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Wolf, a renowned professor of Church history at the University of Münster, sees Leo XIV as a smart, calculated choice to head the Church. According to Wolf, Leo XIV positioned himself as a compromise candidate during the election process, embracing the role of a unifying force in the Church's divided factions.
A Clear Departure from the Past
While acknowledging Francis in his first public address as pope and thereby hinting at a sense of continuity, Leo XIV made it clear that he would forge his own path.
Wolf points out that while Francis donned simple white attire during his papacy, Leo XIV arrived at the St. Peter's Basilica bedecked in a red cape and stole, akin to his predecessor Benedict XVI. This grand entrance, says Wolf, showcased Leo XIV's determination to establish his unique identity as pope.
A Pope with a Political Agenda
Throughout his inaugural speech, Leo XIV made references to peace and unity, hinting at a political pope who would utilize his position to exert influence in religious and political spheres. In particular, his liturgical greeting "Peace be with you" signaled a strong political bent.
Leo XIV: A Man for the People
Originally from Chicago, Leo XIV was born to parents of French, Spanish, and Italian descent. He began his religious journey by joining the Order of Saint Augustine and was eventually ordained a priest in Rome. In the 1980s, Leo XIV served as a missionary in Peru, where he founded parishes, oversaw a seminary, and collaborated in training bishops.
Pope Francis appointed Leo XIV as bishop of Chiclayo in 2015, and in 2023, he was elevated to head the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, the Vatican office responsible for selecting bishops worldwide. Leo XIV received the cardinal's hat the same year.
Source: ntv.de, jpe/dpa
- Vatican
- Catholic Church
- Popes
- Politics
Insights
- Background: Leo XIV's background includes a strong emphasis on missionary work, building connections, and fostering inclusivity. As a member of the Order of Saint Augustine and a missionary in Peru, he demonstrated a commitment to social welfare and unity throughout his life.
- Political Orientation: As a compromise candidate, Leo XIV's political inclinations have surfaced in his inaugural speech, where he emphasized peace, unity, and collaboration across religious and political lines. He was also raised in a multicultural family, which may have contributed to his willingness to engage with diverse perspectives.
- Continuity with Francis: Although he signaled a departure from Francis in his inaugural attire, Leo XIV has indicated a desire to continue the work on social justice and inclusivity initiated by Pope Francis. This commitment to continuing legacy suggests a similar direction for the Church under the new pope's leadership.
- Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, raised in a multicultural family, has been appointed as the 280th leader of the Catholic Church, evoking expectations of a pope who will break from tradition and bring unique perspectives to the common foreign and security policy of the Vatican.
- A political agenda is discernible in Pope Leo XIV's inaugural speech, where he emphasized peace and unity, revealing his intention to wield influence in both religious and political spheres, echoing the political-minded approach of Popes past.
- Despite a departure from the simple white attire preferred by Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV's grand entrance in a red cape and stole, similar to that of his predecessor Benedict XVI, demonstrates his determination to establish his own identity, yet maintain continuity within the Catholic Church's common foreign and security policy.
- Widely acknowledged for his missionary work in Peru, where he founded parishes, oversaw a seminary, and collaborated in training bishops, Pope Leo XIV's emphasis on social welfare and unity might shape his approach to the common foreign and security policy during his papacy.
