My Hope for the Pope Leo XIV Papacy

Last updated on: May 19, 2025 at 12:55 pm by Dennis Knapp

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My Hope for the Pope Leo XIV Papacy 2025-05-19T12:55:02-06:00 Dennis Knapp

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Habemus Papam!

We have a Pope! On May 9, 2025, the 267th successor to St. Peter assumed the chair of the fisherman. For the first time in Church history, the cardinal electors chose an American—a relatively unknown Augustinian (and Chicago native) named Robert Francis Prevost. Like countless Catholics around the world, I tuned in for his first appearance and blessing. Few people on earth command the kind of attention a pope does, and Pope Leo XIV is no exception. Does his choice of vestments signal anything? What does his use of Latin mean? Why didn’t he greet American Catholics in English?

For my part, I found his first homily refreshingly clear. One of my main concerns with Pope Francis was his tendency toward vagueness. Pope Leo XIV appears free from this theological ailment.

Here, I reflect on Pope Leo’s words to consider the kind of pope he intends to be.

Jesus Alone Reveals the Face of the Father

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God: the one Saviour, who alone reveals the face of the Father.

In him, God, in order to make himself close and accessible to men and women, revealed himself to us in the trusting eyes of a child, in the lively mind of a young person and in the mature features of a man (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 22), finally appearing to his disciples after the resurrection with his glorious body. He thus showed us a model of human holiness that we can all imitate, together with the promise of an eternal destiny that transcends all our limits and abilities.

Right from the start, the new pope boldly proclaims that the only path to the Father is through Jesus Christ. He then calls us to imitate Christ’s holiness and reminds us of our ultimate destiny in heavenly glory. In the Easter season—a time to celebrate the historical resurrection of the historical Jesus—Christians find hope that surpasses human understanding.

A Gift That Changes the Receiver

Peter, in his response, understands both of these things: the gift of God and the path to follow in order to allow himself to be changed by that gift. They are two inseparable aspects of salvation entrusted to the Church to be proclaimed for the good of the human race. Indeed, they are entrusted to us, who were chosen by him before we were formed in our mothers’ wombs (cf. Jer 1:5), reborn in the waters of Baptism and, surpassing our limitations and with no merit of our own, brought here and sent forth from here, so that the Gospel might be proclaimed to every creature (cf. Mk 16:15).

Beautiful words. Drawing on the witness of St. Peter and the Great Commission, the Holy Father emphasizes that the gift of salvation transforms those who receive it. Jesus may invite us to “come as we are,” but he does not leave us there.

The World Rejects the Irksome Christ

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” If we reflect on the scene we are considering, we might find two possible answers, which characterize two different attitudes.

First, there is the world’s response. Matthew tells us that this conversation between Jesus and his disciples takes place in the beautiful town of Caesarea Philippi, filled with luxurious palaces, set in a magnificent natural landscape at the foot of Mount Hermon, but also a place of cruel power plays and the scene of betrayals and infidelity. This setting speaks to us of a world that considers Jesus a completely insignificant person, at best someone with an unusual and striking way of speaking and acting. And so, once his presence becomes irksome because of his demands for honesty and his stern moral requirements, this “world” will not hesitate to reject and eliminate him.

The world still seeks to silence “the irksome Christ” by suppressing honest discussions about objective moral truths. Christians who engage politically on behalf of Christ are shouted down as “Christian nationalists”—often by other Christians.

Those Who Follow Jesus “the Wise Teacher”

Then there is the other possible response to Jesus’ question: that of ordinary people. For them, the Nazarene is not a charlatan, but an upright man, one who has courage, who speaks well and says the right things, like other great prophets in the history of Israel. That is why they follow him, at least for as long as they can do so without too much risk or inconvenience. Yet to them he is only a man, and therefore, in times of danger, during his passion, they too abandon him and depart disappointed.

This reminds me of the seeds that fell among the thorns in Matthew 13:7. Here, the pope seems to describe those who admire Jesus as a wise teacher but abandon him when asked to carry their cross. The cross demands real sacrifice—of our wants, desires, and comforts.

The Absurdity of Faith and the Meaning of Life

Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.

These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied. Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed. A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.

Yes! Preach, Holy Father! Here, Pope Leo calls Catholics to boldly proclaim the Gospel to a world in crisis. Why? Because in the Gospel we rediscover life’s meaning, true mercy, restored dignity, strong families, and healing for society.

A Warning Against Practical Atheism

Today, too, there are many settings in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman. This is true not only among non-believers but also among many baptized Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism.

Sadly, many of us fall into “practical atheism” at times. We admire Jesus from a distance. In our minds, we reduce him to something more comfortable—less demanding. May God preserve his people from such error.

Bear Witness in Fidelity to the Lord

This is the world that has been entrusted to us, a world in which, as Pope Francis taught us so many times, we are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the Saviour. Therefore, it is essential that we too repeat, with Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16).

It is essential to do this, first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion. Then, to do so as a Church, experiencing together our fidelity to the Lord and bringing the Good News to all (cf. Lumen Gentium, 1).

Finally, Pope Leo XIV calls us to live our fidelity to Christ—first in our personal conversion, then in our communal mission. We, as Catholics, hold a pearl of great price. We must not dull its shine through our own indifference or disobedience.

What Kind of Pope Will Pope Leo XIV Be?

To me, it seems Pope Leo’s papacy will convey eternal truths in a clear, concise, and inspiring way. His first homily affirms Church teaching and invites the faithful to conversion. In short, I hold great hope for this papacy.

In his closing comments, he stated:

It is to move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that he may be known and glorified (cf. Jn 3:30), to spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the opportunity to know and love him.

Amen!

Join me in praying for our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.