Leo XIV. A name that inevitably takes us back to history. To that Leo XIII who knew how to make a difference with his vision of social justice, his fight against the injustices that plagued the weakest. But Robert Prevost’s pontificate is not just an echo of that past. He presents himself as a Leo of the 21st century, with a firm commitment to looking to the future and facing the current challenges that confront us, with the same depth, but with the urgency of a time that gives no respite.
Leo XIV is, above all, a man of the people. His origins in Chicago, his ties to Peru, his life dedicated to the most needy as an Augustinian missionary, give him an incarnated perspective, close to the suffering of the excluded. His personal story, marked by his closeness to the poor, is intertwined with the history of a Church that, in the words of Pope Francis, must walk with the most needy. And not just to walk, but to act, to be the refuge of those without a voice, to be hope in the midst of despair.
This Leo XIV also bears the imprint of continuity and change. Continuity, because his appointment is a faithful reflection of the vision of Francis, a Pope who does not limit himself to words, but lives the Gospel consistently. But also change, because the Church cannot remain stagnant, cannot remain oblivious to the new global challenges we face. Migration, climate change, the economic crisis that crushes the most vulnerable—all these are issues that demand an urgent response. And Leo XIV, like a prophetic Leo, will not be afraid to put on the table what many prefer to avoid.
At 69 years of age, with decades of service and experience, he arrives with the humility of a man who has not remained in the heights of power, but has walked the difficult paths of real life. It will not be an easy pontificate, because the tensions are great, the interests are multiple, and the Church faces a rapidly changing world. But if there is one thing that Robert Prevost has shown us, it is that coherence is not empty talk. It is a praxis, a life of commitment, a life that is risked for others.
Pope Leo XIV will most likely be a synodal Pope, who will know how to listen, who will know how to walk with the Church in dialogue, but also with firmness in his principles. A Pope who will not give in to the temptation of comfort, but will lead the Church to confront, courageously and consistently, the great problems of the world. His pontificate will invite us to return to the very essence of the Gospel, to live it with integrity, without fear of the consequences.
In this sense, Leo XIV reminds us of what Pope Francis constantly repeats: faith cannot be separated from social commitment. Faith that does not translate into action, that does not become a bridge to those who suffer, is not authentic faith. The legacy of Leo XIV, like his name, will be a Church that does not remain in empty speeches, but is present in the painful realities of a world in need of hope and justice. The Church must walk with the poor. And that, without a doubt, will be what this Pope will teach us with his life and actions: to live the Gospel, to commit to justice, to be a refuge for those who suffer most.
Full text:
Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God.
I, too, would like this greeting of peace to reach your hearts, to reach your families, to all people, wherever they may be, to all nations, to the whole earth.
Peace be with you.
This is the peace of the risen Christ, a disarming, disarming, and also persevering peace, which comes from God, who loves us all unconditionally. We still have in our ears that faint, but always courageous, voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome.
The Pope who blessed Rome also blessed the whole world that Easter morning. Allow me to continue that same blessing: that God loves you very much, God loves everyone, and evil will not prevail. We are all in God’s hands.
Therefore, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with one another, let us move forward. Let us be disciples of Christ. Christ precedes us. The world needs his light; humanity needs him as the bridge to be reached by God’s love. Let us help one another build bridges through dialogue and encounter, uniting all of us to be one people, always at peace.
Thank you to Pope Francis.
I would like to thank all my brother cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor of Peter and to walk alongside you as a united Church, always seeking peace and justice, working as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel and be missionaries.
I am a son of Saint Augustine, the Augustinian, who said: “With you, I am a Christian, and for you, I am a bishop.” In this sense, we can all walk together toward that homeland that God has prepared for us.
To the Church of Rome, a special greeting.
We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges of dialogue, always ready and open to welcome, like this square, with open arms to all. To all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, and love.
And if you will allow me, also a word, a greeting, especially to all those in my beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, shared their faith, and given so much, so much, to continue being the faithful Church of Jesus Christ.
To all of you, brothers and sisters, from Rome, from Italy, and from all over the world. We want a synodal Church, one that journeys, that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that is close to those who suffer.
Today, on the feast day of Our Lady of Pompeii, our Mother Mary wants to always journey with us, to be close to us, to help us with her intercession and her love.
Now I would like to pray with you for this new mission, for the entire Church, for world peace. Let us ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.
*Article written by Juan Francisco Miguel
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