Leo XIV Will Not Mirror Francis II's Reign

A Fresh Start: Leo XIV, Not Francis II, Takes the Helm

Pope Leo XIV will not succeed Pope Francis II.

By Solveig Bach

After a swift consensus, the cardinals have elected Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. This dynamic, multilingual leader seems poised to bring the Catholic Church in a new direction. Emotions ran high as he delivered his first address on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

Nearly overnight, the College of Cardinals managed to select their candidate for the 1.4 billion members of the Roman Catholic Church. In just the fourth round of voting, the American-Peruvian Augustinian, who spent a substantial portion of his life in Latin America, gained the support of 133 cardinals.

Before the conclave, many were caught off guard by the prompt decision. Yet Prevost, who served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, quickly proved his worth, earning approval with his open-minded and global outlook.

A Vision for Togetherness: "God Loves Us All"

As Pope Leo XIV, the 69-year-old priest's messages resonated with the public during his first speech in St. Peter's Square. Displaying raw emotion, Leo XIV likely set the tone for his pontificate.

A Nod to the Past

While some in the crowd rejoiced, waving at cameras, Leo XIV cut a striking figure on the balcony, donning more elegant attire than his predecessor. "Peace be with you all," he began, echoing his predecessor's final public words on Easter Sunday. Leo XIV expressed his desire to build upon Francis' legacy, stating, "I want to carry on this blessing."

God's Love for All

Adopting a simple, theological tone, Leo XIV emphasized God's love for all people, declaring, "God loves you," and "We are all in God's hands." He continued, stressing, "God loves us all, and evil will not prevail."

"With dialogue and encounter," Pope Leo XIV requested the faithful to help the Church build bridges and becoming "one people with peace."

A Potential Pope of Peace?

Some observers see in Leo XIV the consensus candidate the Church needs at this juncture. While he has expressed reservations about the ordination of women, he has emphasized the importance of dialogue and inclusivity. His spiritual journey began in the mid-1980s, when he served as a missionary in Peru.

As he expressed his hopes for his pontificate, Leo XIV extended his offer of love and dialogue to "all who need our love of neighbor, our presence, our dialogue, and our love." Whether he will continue Francis' reforms or return to a more conservative approach remains to be seen.

Convincing orations and Weavers of Peace

Leo XIV's predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, was a notable peacemaker, known for mediating conflicts eleven times during his reign. As Augsburg church historian Jörg Ernesti notes, "Leo XIII was a great statesman, who began peace negotiations." Time will tell if Pope Leo XIV's name choice reflects similar ambitions.

"May the Easter greeting of the risen Christ penetrate the hearts of all, reach all people, all nations, and the whole earth," Leo XIV concluded. And perhaps he means it.

Sources: ntv.de- Vatican- Pope Francis

Notable Insights- Selection Process: Leo XIV was the consensus candidate following four rounds of voting.- Background: Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV studied mathematics at Villanova University. He went on to receive his theological education at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago and was ordained in 1982. As an Augustinian friar, he is the first member of his order to serve as Pope.- Early Career: Prevost spent over a decade serving in South America before becoming the bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015, a position appointed by Pope Francis. He also headed the Dicastery for Bishops prior to his papal election.- Personal Life: Pope Leo XIV is of Italian, French, and Spanish descent.- Vision: In his first address, Leo XIV emphasized the importance of a missionary church that builds bridges, embraces people in charity, dialogue, and love, and continues the reforms initiated by Pope Francis. He has delivered a message aimed at inclusivity and outreach.

The European Parliament offered their congratulations to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, expressing hope that his global outlook would foster dialogue and inclusivity among all faiths and nations.
As Pope Leo XIV delved deeper into social-media networks, he came across posts about celebrities and pop-culture, remarking that even popes should understand the pulse of the people.
In light of Pope Leo XIV's appointment, various entertainment platforms saw an opportunity to feature the holy man as a guest, hoping to channel his persuasive rhetoric towards issues of peace and unity.
The papal wardrobe underwent a revamp as Pope Leo XIV opted for modern, tailored outfits instead of traditional papal attire, mirroring his approach to leading the Catholic Church in the digital age.
With the elevation of Leo XIV as pope, the Roman Catholic Church found itself grappling with balancing its rich history with embracing the ideals of the 21st century, as reflected in the contrasting fashions of the past and present popes.