The choice of Pope Leo XIV marks a new chapter in the history of the Church, combining doctrinal continuity with a conciliatory style from an unpublished American origin.
To talk about this topic, Channel and He communicated with the international analyst Marcelo Elizondo who explained that, “Prevost had several conditions in favor. “He added:”It was a continuator of Pope Francis’s line, but with a more moderate style that can reconcile different lines within the Church”.
Elizondo He stressed that, although North American, the new Pontiff has a strong pastoral root in Latin America, especially in Peru, where he worked in very impoverished areas. “He has had a vast pastoral presence in poor sectors of Peru and, in recent years, he was in charge of appointing bishops worldwide”, He said, thus highlighting his institutional weight and his global networks.
A clear message: the Church must speak of Jesus
For the analyst, the first steps of the pontificate reflect a deeply spiritual vocation. “It seems very interesting how he remarked that the role of the Pope is to be the vicar of Christ in the world, to speak of Jesus and the gospel“, said Elizondo.
This statement marks continuity with Francisco’s pastoral spirit, but also a reaffirmation of the religious essence of the papacy, in the midst of an international context that requires increasingly visible political and diplomatic positions.
Tense relations with the US and a humanistic message
Accessed about the links between the new Pope and the US government, Elizondo He did not hesitate to highlight a clear vision difference, especially in migratory issues. “The Church has historically had a very humanistic position; maintains that immigrants should be treated with equality and dignity”He said.
Although he recognized the sovereign right of countries to regulate migration, he stressed that, “The Pope is asking for a humanitarian, equal treatment between premises and foreign, who recognizes the dignity of people beyond regulations”In that sense, tensions with figures such as Donald Trump seem inevitable.
A spiritual leadership in the key to peace
Elizondo It was clear about the role that Leo XIV will seek to exercise on the international stage: “I think it will be a very involved Pope in the search for peace”He recalled that his first message as a pontiff was“ LPaz be with youS ”, which interpreted as a declaration of principles.
“The Pope has become a spiritual leader as well as religious, and within those functions is to Bregar for Peace”He said, stating that the new Pontiff will probably use Vatican diplomacy with that goal.
An option for peripheries
On the possible destinations of the first papal trip, Elizondo He was cautious, but ventured a line of continuity with Francisco. “Pope Leo XIV will probably follow the preference line for peripheries”He said.
Finally, the interviewee recalled that his pastoral experience was marked by work in poor areas of Peru and that even his origin in Chicago is testimony of a “vocational option for a priesthood model near the margins”.
