Editorial Reflections

Pope Leo XIV fosters bridgebuilding

 

Just as the world mourned the loss of Pope Francis—the kind of leader we so desperately need today—the May 8 announcement of "Habemus Papam" marked the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, who appears to share many of the same qualities that could also make him the kind of leader our world needs now.

I am a Catholic Sister who for more than 50 years has been motivated by a relationship with the Jesus of the Gospels who led by example in stories of responding in love to those in need and gave us an ideal to live by in texts like Matthew 25: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."

In Catholicism, I find this pathway spelled out in Catholic social teaching themes: the recognition of the dignity of all humans with an emphasis on social conditions that allow all people to flourish; the fundamental option to support vulnerable people, especially those living in poverty; a recognition that work is fundamental to human dignity and workers have the right to fair wages, safe working conditions and the opportunity to organize; the need to care for our common home, Earth, and the promotion of peace and justice.

Although I knew nothing about Leo XIV before his election, what I am finding out now fills me with gospel hope. He belongs to the Augustinian order, founded so its members live and promote the spirit of community lived by the first Christian communities. Twice he led the order, which has communities in 50 countries. So, he has experience as an international faith leader.

Although American by birth, he served as a missionary in Peru, becoming a Peruvian citizen and later the Bishop of Chiclayo. His brother bishops say he has had a special concern for the care of migrants and human trafficking, a complex problem in Chiclayo.

One of our Peruvian Sisters commented, "Bishop Prevost will definitely follow Pope Francis' legacy, responding to today's broken world and a Church suffering from division."

He chose his name because he was "inspired by the most recent of his namesakes—Pope Leo XIII, who spent much of his papacy advocating for rights of workers during the first industrial revolution." He has said we are in a similar position in history with the AI revolution and moral challenges it raises.

In his first words and actions he has demonstrated his commitment to gospel values and the principles of Catholic social teachings. When first greeting the world from the balcony outside the conclave, he said, "We want to be a synodal church, a church that moves forward, a church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close above all to those who are suffering."

Among his first actions was with representatives of ecumenical and interfaith groups, supporting Pope Francis' advancement of Catholic-Muslim relations, affirming the importance of Christian-Jewish dialogue and urging humanitarian aid for Gaza and an end to the hostilities there.

He has said he will continue Pope Francis' synodal process to reform the church structures to make them more inclusive and welcoming and will use his papacy to promote peace, both inside the church and within the world.

One of his first appointments was to continue Francis' practice and name a woman, Sr. Tiziana Merletti, a canon lawyer, to a top position in the Roman Curia.

From his first day, he has called on the church to foster a spirit of bridge-building and dialogue. On May 19, he exemplified this by meeting with the U.S. Vice President in spite of their public disagreements on immigration policy and the VP's belief in a hierarchy for believers to share their love with others. Pope Leo prioritized conversation and understanding over division.

Our world cries out for leaders who, rather than seeking power and wealth for themselves, serve all people with humility, empathy, intelligence, integrity and vision. We need strong moral voices—leaders who work to heal divisions, ensure all people have what they need to survive and thrive, pursue peace and care for the Earth, our common home.

May the Holy Spirit grant Pope Leo the strength to be such a leader for our time.

Catherine Ferguson SNJM,
Editorial Team