Pope Leo XIV calls for an end to division within the Church and beyond, advocating for bridge-building and unity.
Pope Leo XIV, the current head of the Roman Catholic Church, has been making headlines with his recent addresses on various topics, from the ongoing situation in Gaza to the Tridentine Mass and the issue of sexual abuse within the Church.
In a bid to continue the policy of the Holy See and his predecessors regarding China, Pope Leo XIV has been in constant dialogue with different Chinese people, seeking to better understand how the Church can pursue its mission in China while respecting cultural and political issues. The Pope has expressed concern over the current situation in Gaza, describing it as a crisis that requires attention and compassion. However, he has stated that officially, the Holy See does not consider it possible at the moment to make a declaration on the definition of genocide regarding the situation in Gaza.
The Pope has also addressed the question of the Tridentine Mass, stating that it has been used as a political instrument and that he plans to meet with a group of people who support the Tridentine rite to potentially resolve the issue with synodality. He has emphasized the need for respect for the victims of sexual abuse in the Church, but also for the protection of priests who are falsely accused, stressing that the issue of sexual abuse cannot become the sole focus of the Church.
In the digital age, Pope Leo XIV has expressed concern over the theme of fake news and artificial intelligence, stating that the Church must intervene as the risk that the digital world will go its own way and that we will all become pawns is serious. He has also highlighted the importance of communication, stating that it is important to communicate a different message about the financial situation of the Holy See and that the crisis is not over, but requires continued work.
The Pope has also taken steps to address the financial situation of the Holy See, mentioning the need to address issues such as the positive result of over 60 million euros recorded in the 2024 balance sheet of APSA, the need to examine the pension fund, the impact of the Covid crisis on the Vatican Museums, and the importance of avoiding bad choices made in recent years.
Pope Leo XIV's American origin has given him hope that it will make a difference in relations with the American episcopate, where friction was recorded during the previous pontificate. He has affirmed that he has no intention of meddling in partisan politics, but he is willing to address specific issues if necessary.
In a move to promote synodality and address a lack of dialogue and communication that has sometimes been a limitation and a prejudice for the governance of the Church, Pope Leo XIV has announced decisions within the Roman Curia to dismantle or transform the isolated way of functioning of each dicastery. He has also continued on the path of his predecessor, Pope Francis, by appointing women to certain leadership positions at different levels of the Church's life, but does not intend to change the Church’s teaching on the controversial question of deaconesses.
The biography of Pope Leo XIV, "León XIV: ciudadano del mundo, misionero del siglo XXI," was published in 2025; however, the exact release date is not specified in the available sources. The Pope has also recalled the letter sent by Pope Francis to all the bishops of the United States, asking to welcome those who arrived in the country seeking a better life.
In a statement that reflects his commitment to inclusivity, Pope Leo XIV has affirmed that he adheres to the message of Francis to welcome all people, not because of a specific identity, but because all are children of God, while maintaining the Church’s doctrine on sexuality and marriage. He has also explained that he does not wish to encourage polarization within the Church and that the main message of the document Fiducia Supplicans is that while they can certainly bless everyone, they should not seek to ritualize any blessing.
Pope Leo XIV's addresses and actions reflect his commitment to addressing a wide range of global issues and Church matters with compassion, understanding, and a focus on promoting dialogue and synodality.
