Habemus Papam! — We have a pope! — and an American one at that!!
Yesterday, May 8, the Church celebrated the elevation of Cardinal Robert Prevost to the role of pope, under the name Pope Leo XIV. Our new pope was born on the South Side of Chicago, and educated at Villanova University and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, but he is a true citizen of the world. As an adult, he has lived in Peru and Rome, and has traveled widely across the globe; he speaks five languages. While we will surely learn more about him and his vision for the Church in the coming days, we can begin to get a sense for his papacy by looking at what he has said in recent interviews, and in his “urbi et orbi” blessing, his first address as pope:
His first words to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square were words of peace, directed to all of the world:
- “Peace be with you all! Beloved brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who has given his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, reach your families, to all people, wherever they may be, to all peoples, to all the earth. Peace be with you!”
In a 2023 interview, he emphasized the role of a personal relationship with Jesus, rather than doctrine, in evangelization:
- “We are often preoccupied with teaching doctrine … but we risk forgetting that our first task is to teach what it means to know Jesus Christ.”
In a 2024 statement, he called for a model of humble service in leadership:
- “The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom, but rather called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them, to suffer with them, and to look for ways that he can better live the Gospel message in the midst of his people.”
In a 2023 press conference, he followed in Pope Francis’ footsteps of declaring the Church a welcoming a place for all:
- “Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church.”
He reiterated his connection to Pope Francis during his address yesterday, picking up on many of Francis’ key themes: the need to love without fear; to build bridges to unite, rather than divide; to be welcoming to all; and to be a synodal church:
- “God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God’s hands. Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and each other – let us go forward.”
- “We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us also, and then help each other to build bridges, with dialogue, with encounter, uniting us all to be one people always at peace.”
- “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive, like this square, with open arms. Everyone, everyone who needs our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.”
- “To all of you, brothers and sisters from Rome, from Italy, from all over the world, we want to be a synodal Church, a church that walks, a church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close especially to those who suffer.”
Leo is an Augustinian, and models his leadership on St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, and author of some of the greatest works of literature, including Confessions and The City of God:
- “I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian, who said, ‘For you I am a bishop, with you, I am a Christian.’ In this sense we can all walk together toward that homeland that God has prepared.”
Finally, Pope Leo XIV closed his remarks by asking for the intercession of Mary, which is particularly fitting here in the month of May:
- “Our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close, help us with her intercession and love. So I would like to pray together with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole church, for peace in the world, and let us ask Mary, our Mother, for this special grace.”
