My work in this area normally centers around pop culture criticism through a faith-based/Christian lens. Music, in particular Christian Hip Hop, is the area I explore to build a corpus of critical work and serve the large Christian and theomusicological audiences.
The timing of the new Pope, Pope Leo XIV, marks a time when I wanted to set aside the regular Christian Hip Hop discourse and pop culture analysis to give respect to the new pontiff. Below is an excerpt from a larger article I wrote at the first hearing of the appointment of Pope Leo XIV.
It Was Just Another Slow Start
Getting ready to settle in and start the research for the day, the silent news continued to flash similar images with no subtext. What had happened? Staring at the silent arbiter of information, my mind was twitching to figure out the puzzle with no pieces. Nothing came to light; I continued along the choreographed duties of the day.
When I finally surveyed the news, clarity began to settle. Amazement brought wonder. Curiosity brought questions. A sense of change brought fear and rejection.
It’s A Homeboy!
On Wednesday, May 8, the massive crowd took over St. Peter’s Square. The attendees were waiting for news on the appointment of a new Pope to the Catholic Church. Time was not wasted as the highly sought-after white smoke came from the chimney of the Sixteen Chapel. The orchestra of bells rang, and the crowd let forth a deafening unison cry of exultation. A little over an hour later, Pope Leo XIV walked onto the patio of the Vatican to greet the large assembly.
DAMAGE reports,
Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes the first American-born pope.
“Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has become the first American to lead the Catholic Church, an unconventional choice shaped more by decades spent in Peru than by his Chicago roots” (Prevost, image, DAMAGE, May 89).
Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope. Shocking? A gamechanger? The appointment heard around the world.
Could it be a World Record? In under two days, the Conclave announced the appointment of the new Pope for the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV. The first American Pope grew up in Chicago with meager roots. Taking the name “Leo” aligns him with those of the common man. In his first speech to the crowd in the Vatican Square, he follows the words of his predecessor, articulating the need to include all people in the church. Peace for all cloaked his words.
News agencies tried to understand to whom Pope Leo was speaking in his opening remarks. Were his words only for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide? As the new leader of the largest organized religion in the world, Pope Leo has a few challenges ahead of him. As the new Pope comes to light, his history of standing firm for the support, equity, and justice for the common man will be a strength and a political sore spot. How will this new Pope expand the inclusion of the church to “everyone”? At some point, this rhetoric will need to move from phraseology to action and application. It will be interesting to see exactly what “everyone” means to this Pope. Coming to this lifelong appointment, Pope Leo will have the space needed to work in healing the Catholic Church, outline, frame, and institute his socio-political agendas, and pass policy to steer the church in the direction he sees as best fit and aligned with Catholic doctrine.
A Papal Profile
Contextualizing the new Pope, Axios provides a brief sketch to see how the American Pope will use his upbringing to underscore his new role.
“Leo, 69, was born to a French-Italian American father who served in World War II and a Spanish American mother with New Orleans Creole roots.
“He arrived in Peru on an Augustinian mission in 1985, and later directed an Augustinian seminary in the country for 10 years.
“He later became a Peruvian citizen, and maintains dual citizenship” (Axios, May 8).
Attitudes toward the US immigration policies will be a roadblock for Pope Leo.
“Attitudes toward Trump and immigration are deeply ingrained in American culture, making it difficult for a pope — even one from Chicago — to become a major influence beyond the church” (Axios, May 8).
“The new pope has been an outspoken defender of migrant rights, and his family’s immigration story touches an issue that has split many U.S. Catholics along cultural and political lines” (Axios, May 8).
Will Pope Leo stand on the soapbox of “Not in my church!” against immigration policies? This frames the church as a global entity, not limited to the physical localities of a building, country, or socio-religious center. Taking the lead to shepherd the 1.8 billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Leo XIV has a long journey to walk, lead, and craft as he remains focused on his Catholic discipline and global issues to criticise for the support and progress of the Catholic church.
Watch the first full mass given by Pope Leo XIV,
Watch an analysis by Democracy Now, May 9, discussing Pope Leo’s social issues and his possible future work as the new Pope.
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