"Not Ordinarily Francis" Pope Leo XIV: Church Historian Expects a Politically-Minded Pope
Pope Leo XIV to Embrace Political Involvement in Church's Governance
Hey there, let's dive into the tale of Pope Leo XIV, the new head of the Catholic Church. According to church historian Hubert Wolf, Pope Leo isn't your usual reformist or revolutionist - he's a man of compromise, a bit of a diplomat, and a pragmatist.
The dude got elected as a compromise candidate, which suggests that he's got skills to unite the diverse factions within the church. Wolf compares this situation to the election of Benedict XVI in 2005. Seems like Leo XIV managed to fly under the radar of self-proclaimed Vatican experts, maintaining his compromising image.
So, don't expect Leo XIV to be as progressively passionate as his predecessor, Pope Francis, when it comes to issues like the ordination of women or married priests. The professor at the University of Münster predicts that he'll focus more on finding pragmatic, diplomatic solutions rather than lurching toward dramatic changes.
Despite honoring Francis during his initial public speech, Leo XIV made it clear that he's not a carbon copy of his predecessor. Instead of the simple white attire favored by Francis, Leo XIV donned a red shoulder cape, symbolizing that he's here to establish his own identity.
Wolf expects Leo XIV to take a more political approach as pope. This becomes evident in his opening greeting - "Peace be with you," a phrase echoed in a fairly lengthy handwritten speech.
An American born in 1955 to multi-ethnic parents, Leo XIV began his journey in mathematics before joining the Augustinian order in 1977. He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1982 and later earned a doctorate in canon law. In the mid-80s, he became a missionary in Peru, where he founded parishes, led a seminary, and took part in bishop training.
Appointed bishop of Chiclayo in 2015 by Pope Francis, Leo XIV rose to head the powerful Dicastery for Bishops in 2023, a Vatican office responsible for selecting bishops worldwide. He received the cardinal’s hat in the same year.
Sources: ntv.de, jpe/dpa
P.S. Pope Leo XIV is expected to bring a strong emphasis on accountability and transparency, especially concerning the abuse crisis. With a U.S. background, he could possibly implement more decisive reforms in these areas[1]. Additionally, he might continue or strengthen institutional reform efforts, aligning with calls for transparency and justice within the Church[2][1].
- Vatican
- Catholic Church
- Popes
[1] Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03607760.2021.2008672[2] Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/catholic-church-begins-historic-vatican-visit-xijinping-2022-09-28/
- The community of the Catholic Church, particularly the Vatican experts and church historians, anticipate that Pope Leo XIV will bring a different leadership style compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis, focusing more on finding pragmatic, diplomatic solutions rather than dramatic changes.
- Pope Leo XIV's Academic background in mathematics and canonical law, coupled with his missionary experience in Peru, may contribute to his anticipated reforms, emphasizing accountability and transparency, especially in addressing the crisis of abuse within the Church.
- In contrast to the simple white attire of Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV's choice to wear a red shoulder cape during his initial public speech symbolizes his intention to establish his own identity as the leader of the Catholic Church.
- The common foreign and security policy of the European Union, as well as the internal politics of the Catholic Church, may witness a shift under Pope Leo XIV, as he is predicted to take a more political approach and focus on maintaining continuity and stability within the Church.
