What Does the New Pope Believe?

The white smoke has risen, and a new chapter in the Catholic Church has begun.

Following the death of Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals elected Robert Francis Prevost, who will go by Pope Leo XIV. For his introduction to the world, the newly anointed pontiff greeted the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with a humble message of unity and peace.

But who is Pope Leo, and what can we expect from his papacy? 

Every new pope brings a unique vision to the office, and the world is waiting to learn more about the man who will lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The selection of his papal name and past public remarks give us insight into the priorities and principles that will define this new era of Catholicism, as well as how he aligns with – and differs from – Pope Francis before him.

Why Leo?

What’s in a name? Well, quite a bit – they’re not exactly pulling names out of a (very large and pointy) hat. Each pope gets to choose their own name, and their choice of name offers an early peek into their values.

So, why Leo? In some of his earliest remarks as pope, Pope Leo XIV explicitly mentioned his admiration for Pope Leo XIII, whose pontificate (1878-1903) is widely remembered for his compassion and support of workers during the Industrial Revolution. 

Specifically, Pope Leo XIV stated that Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum, which is critical of unchecked capitalism and offers support for the rights of workers to form unions, was a major influence on his choice of name. It’s a strong sign that Pope Leo XIV’s papacy will be focused on uplifting the working class.

Where Does Pope Leo Stand on Key Issues?

The Environment

Much like Pope Francis, Pope Leo is a staunch environmentalist and climate change activist. As a cardinal, he urged the church to move “from words to action” on “the climate crisis,” arguing that man’s “dominion over nature” must be a “relationship of reciprocity” and not “tyrannical.”

Pope Leo also offered support for his predecessor’s modernization of the Vatican, including installing solar panels and the use of electric cars.

Refugees and Immigrants

Leo appears to be largely sympathetic towards refugees, immigrants, and migrant communities – which again puts him in alignment with Pope Francis.

The pontiff has in the past been critical of the Trump Administration’s hardline stance on immigration; his most recent repost on X, prior to the papal election, was commentary critical of the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador without due process. He’s also previously made posts critical of Trump’s first term policy of separating migrant families. 

LGBTQ+ Rights

Leo is more conservative on LGBTQ+ issues than his predecessor. As a bishop in Peru, Leo opposed plans to teach about gender in school, arguing that the promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it “seeks to create genders that don’t exist.” 

And in 2012, Leo chastised the news media’s “sympathy” for the “homosexual lifestyle,” including “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.”

While he’s been critical of the LGBTQ+ community, Leo has remained silent on Fiducia Supplicans, the 2023 Catholic doctrine which offers support for blessing same-sex unions. Overall, it appears Leo is unquestionably a conservative when it comes to the LGBTQ+ issues, but is restrained and traditional, rather than overtly hostile.

Abortion

Pope Leo is strongly pro-life, and has made numerous social media posts critical of abortion. Expect no major reforms in that department under his purview.

In recent comments, Leo stressed the importance of "striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person," including "the unborn."

What Does the Future of the Catholic Church Look Like?

In the lead up to the conclave, there was much speculation about what a new pope would mean for the Catholic Church, and in what direction the next pontiff would lead his flock.

Prevost has been in office for less than two weeks, but the available clues give some indication of where we're headed. 

Despite his progressive stances on issues like immigration and climate change, the election of Pope Leo marks a return to a more traditional and doctrinally conservative direction for the Catholic Church.

After years of Pope Francis’ pastoral focus on inclusivity and social justice, Pope Leo's ascent signals an emphasis on theological orthodox and a tighter interpretation of Catholic doctrine.

In addition to workers' and immigrants' rights, Leo is expected to prioritize issues such as clerical discipline, bioethical concerns, and defending traditional family values. While carrying on Francis' legacy in some areas, experts say Leo's election also reflects the influence of bishops and cardinals who are eager to reaffirm the Church's teachings in a time of cultural flux.

Every papacy has its surprises, though. And as we get further into his tenure, Pope Leo’s views on key issues will undoubtedly become clearer. 

For now, we must wait and see.