After holding strong throughout Holy Week, Pope Francis passed away after twelve years in office. The Pope displayed an iron will, staying alive throughout a sacred time. He had a major effect on the Catholic Church, changing the rules regarding who could come to Church and ushering in a more progressive electorate.
Francis’s papacy was defined by a radical perspective on mercy, inclusivity, and social justice. In 2013, he remarked, “If someone who is gay seeks God, who am I to judge?” This comment shocked the Church as it set a softer tone on issues like homosexuality. His approval of blessings for same-sex couples in 2023 and his openness to divorced and remarried Catholics receiving communion were bold steps. These moves allowed many more Catholics to rejoin or join the church.
In addition, he elected 163 cardinals from 76 countries, diversifying the makeup of the College of Cardinals as its voice became more widespread and more progressive. While he did not challenge the church’s stance on women in church leadership, he did elect them to high-ranking Vatican roles. Barbara Jetta, for example, was made director of the Vatican Museums.
However, Francis’s reforms caused much controversy. His progressive stance alienated traditionalists, particularly in the United States, where conservative Catholics, clergy, and even political figures like Vice President J.D. Vance clashed with his views on immigration and inclusivity.
Critics accused Pope Francis of sowing confusion on doctrine, with some, like the late Cardinal George Pell, calling his papacy a “catastrophe.” Progressives, meanwhile, were frustrated by his caution—his refusal to ordain women as priests or deacons and his slow response to clergy sexual abuse scandals left many wanting more.
And after an incredibly quick two-day conclave, the new pope has been elected. Robert Frances Prevost, an American and Villanova University alumnus, will fill the role, taking the name of Leo XIV. Pope Leo is a moderate, and it will be interesting to see where he will go from here.
He has stated before that he takes the classic Catholic perspective on abortion, as shown by his post about the March for Life in Chiclayo, Peru, where he wrote, “Let’s defend human life at all times!” in 2016. Additionally, he does not support capital punishment, as he has stated, “It’s time to end the death penalty,” according to NPR.
He is more controversial in his thoughts on the LGBTQ community.
“The idea of promoting gender ideology is confusing because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist. So God created man and woman, and the attempt to confuse ideas from nature will only harm families and people,” he told the Peruvian newspaper Diario Correo. He then banned the teaching of gender ideology in Catholic Schools in Chiclayo, Peru.
We know that he is not the biggest fan of President Trump, as he tweeted, “Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?” after Trump deported Kilmar Garcia to El Salvador. And then in February of this year, he tweeted: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
In his first speech, he stated that he desires communication first. “We have to look together how to be a missionary church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.”
“Peace be with you.”
Pope Leo XIII
As Pope Leo XIV begins to lay out the path of the new Catholic Church, it will be fascinating to see how the church will move forward. Will it swing more in line with the recent rightward shift we have seen across the world? Or will it continue in the progressive path that Francis has laid out or go further?
Pope Leo XIV was the best candidate for the pope among the cardinals as he held one of the most balanced opinions in the college. He was not as conservative as the African Cardinal Sarah or as progressive as Luis “Asian Francis” Tagle.
The future looks positive, as in addition to mentioning communication, he repeatedly stressed his desire to have peace in the church, with his first words being the classic greeting “Peace be with you.” After that, he invoked the peace of Christ. Additionally, his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, was known for his support of workers and the poor. Hopefully, he will continue in this legacy and help support the lower classes.
