Role of Pope Leo centres on fostering unity, avoiding divisiveness
Pope Leo Embraces Global Citizenry and Missions in the 21st Century
Pope Leo, in his first interview since his election, opened up to Elise Ann Allen for her biography León XIV: ciudadano del mundo, misionero del siglo XXI. The interview, published by Penguin Peru on Thursday, sheds light on the Pope's thoughts and concerns, particularly regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Expressing deep concern, Pope Leo stated that there has not been a clear response in terms of finding effective ways to alleviate the suffering of the people, especially the children, in Gaza. However, officially, the Vatican does not believe it can make any declaration about the tragedy of Gaza being genocide at this time.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Leo has shown his engagement through public appearances, such as at the World Youth Day in Rome, and diplomatic initiatives from the Vatican, particularly for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.
On a different note, Pope Leo emphasized the 'pastoral part' of his new role as pope, focusing on outreach to people of all ages. He plans to continue the policy that the Vatican has followed for some years regarding relations with China.
Regarding the Church's teaching on the ordination of women, Pope Leo does not intend to change the status quo in the near future. However, he does plan to continue appointing women to leadership roles in the Church.
The issue of clerical sexual abuse is not overlooked by Pope Leo. He acknowledged the crisis, stating that victims must be treated with great respect and understanding. He cited statistics showing that over 90% of people who come forward and make accusations are authentic victims.
However, Pope Leo also acknowledged the existence of false accusations in cases of clerical sexual abuse. He warns against repeating the mistakes made in recent years, such as the purchase of a building in London that led to a court case.
Pope Leo's approach to the LGBTQ+ community is one of avoidance of polarization. He does not have a 'plan' regarding the role of the LGBTQ+ community in the Church, but wants to ensure that all feel welcome and respected.
The Pope embraces Francis' message of welcome to all, inviting people in as sons and daughters of God. He also expressed concerns about the prevalence of 'fake news' and the issue of artificial intelligence, particularly when extremely wealthy people invest in it while ignoring the value of human beings.
Pope Leo is learning about the role of the pope as a world leader and acknowledges the financial situation of the Vatican, including the pension fund for employees and the impact of Covid on the Vatican Museums. Despite the challenges, he does not feel overwhelmed by the decisions that will need to be taken.
Lastly, Pope Leo expressed hopes that being the first Pope from the United States will make a difference with the bishops of the United States. He also emphasized the need for reform of the Roman Curia, particularly breaking down the isolated manner in which each dicastery works.
