This afternoon the world greeted Pope Leo XIV as he stood at the loggia of Saint Peter Basilica overlooking the thousands who had gathered. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago and missionary for many years as an Augustinian priest in Peru, has become Leo XIV. He also resided in Rome as the General of the Augustinian Order. His life experience harkens the reality of a universal Church.
“Peace be with you!” he said to us. The words of the Risen Christ.
I first heard of Cardinal Prevost when in 2023 Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastry of Bishops in Rome. He left the city of Chiclayo, Peru where he had been bishop for eight years. During his time in Peru, he naturalized as a Peruvian citizen. As someone said to me already, he is the reverse of me. I was born in Peru, but have lived in the USA most of my life, the new Pope was born in the USA, but has spent a considerable amount of his ministry in Peru.
He chose the name Leo, likely in memory of Pope Leo XIII. If this indicates something, it tells us that the new Pope will give a central emphasis to the Church’s social teaching. Leo XIII stressed the dignity of workers at a time when Western Europe faced some of the societal challenges of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. I suggest that if you wish to know what will be the central themes of his Papacy, simply read an article about Pope Leo XIII. Or better yet, read his greatest work, Rerum Novarum, where he addressed social inequality and social justice. Every Pope after Leo XIII has written a commentary on this great Papal document.
As a religious priest and missionary in Peru, he will have the poor and marginalized in the forefront. He will have the same closeness and heart of a pastor that Pope Francis showed the world. In a 2023 interview he stated, “a bishop is not a manger, he is a pastor who is close to his people.”
I also believe (perhaps more a personal hope), that he will be more diplomatic and cautious with his words and pronouncements. As Prefect of the Dicastry of Bishops for the past two years, he has come to know many bishops, and more importantly, many bishops, including the cardinals, have come to know him. They have chosen him because they trust him, and see he can respond to the needs of the Church today.
Being only 69, he will be a Pope for quite some time.
The Provincial of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, the Province to which the Pope belonged as an Augustinian, stated today, ” What a moment of hope, surprise and joy. As Augustinians, we are proud of Pope Leo XIV, we are grateful for what we know him to be, and for now to be a servant for the whole church and the whole world. God bless Pope Leo XIV!”
I loved it when he switched to Spanish at the loggia and addressed a few words directly to the people of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, “where a faithful people has walked with its bishop, sharing its faith.”
I am excited to see how the Holy Spirit will continue to guide our Church into the future. I am particularly excited to see a Pope with roots in the New World, and with vast pastoral experience with the People of God. We will find a Pope with a true pastor’s heart, who will continue to walk with God’s people as we support one another toward our common goal, eternal life in Jesus Christ.
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