The pontificate of Leo XIV began on Thursday, May 8. The 1.3 billion Roman Catholics were ecstatic. Most of us from America were intrigued by the College of Cardinals electing an American as the Vicar of Christ – partly because we were told it could never happen. Most of the people in my orbit were pleasantly shocked and rejoiced with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in this choice.

I do not envy Pope Leo. He becomes Pope at a time of turmoil in both the Roman Catholic Church and the world. His predecessor (who made him a cardinal, btw) left him a church that has more questions about the future than it has answers. Francis was steeped in the liberation theology of his time and was swayed by the social side of the church. Some found his liberality and synodality a welcome change from the conservatism of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Others saw Francis, the first Jesuit Pope, as a heterodox leader whose initiative for priests to bless same-sex unions as a serious violation of the church’s moral teaching about the sacrament of marriage. Pope Leo is inclined to follow the same path as Francis socially, but there is a sense of strength in Leo’s adherence to Catholic dogma. We shall see how he handles this.

There are several hot spots in the world that reminds us that violence and war are still seen as viable tools in statecraft. The most obvious is the war between Russia and Ukraine, now entering its third year with no apparent end in sight. Another sore spot in the world is the ongoing war between Israel and the terrorists in Palestine sworn to murder not the Jews of the Middle East, but around the world. Finally, the on-again, off-again tension between India and Pakistan over Kashmir flared up concurrently with Leo’s election. Leo needs to use whatever influence the Vatican can muster to bring these warring nations to the negotiation table and bring the conflicts to an end. Can Leo do it? Time will tell.

This I know…we Christians should be quick to pray for our dear brother now Pope Leo XIV. He needs our spiritual support to accomplish his mission as the leader of the largest sect of Christianity. At the same time, we should be reluctant to judge too harshly or quickly. Give the man a chance.

THATISALL