On May 8, 2025, the world saw history unfold in real time when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Born in Chicago, he is the first pope born in the United States of America. An Augustinian, an order founded by St. Augustine, he once led the order as Prior General. He spent years as a missionary in Peru, where he was shaped by the challenges of Latin America. He has now been chosen as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
Leo XIV: A Name with Purpose
A name carries significance. By choosing the name Leo XIV, Prevost did more than enter the lineage of the Catholic Church’s supreme pontiffs. He signals a direction. This new pope not only honors tradition but indicates a vision for the Church.
His choice of name clearly indicates the direction in which he wants to lead the Catholic Church. One of the most iconic Leos in papal history was Leo XIII, the mind behind Rerum Novarum, the Church’s fundamental text on workers’ rights and social justice. This influential encyclical reshaped the way the Catholic Church engaged with the modern world by advocating for the poor in the age of industrial capitalism.
By invoking that legacy, Pope Leo XIV places himself squarely in the tradition of popes who see faith as a catalyst for justice. His name is a declaration saying that this papacy will be concerned not only with doctrine, but with dignity. His choice reflects a commitment to justice, humility, and service, which are values that resonate deeply with the Catholic Church’s role in an ever-changing world.
The Inaugural Voice: His Core Values Through His Early Words
Pope Leo XIV’s first words as a pontiff also offer a glimpse of his values, principles and priorities that would be influential for his vision of the future of the Church and of the world.
Since his election, he has started to establish a clear moral and pastoral agenda. Drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIII, he has given renewed urgency to long-standing Catholic principles. From his inaugural address to the College of Cardinals to his Pentecost homily, his discourses and speeches highlight several clear themes, such as human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence, social justice, unity within the Church, and global peace.
From the moment Pope Leo XIV addressed the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he set a tone that was both pastoral and pointed. During his first blessing, he asked the Lord to inspire those who build walls to find peace in bridges and to encourage everyone to serve rather than dominate. This demonstrates his strong stance on global conflict and his consistent prayers for peace in war-torn Ukraine and Gaza.
One of the earliest and most striking themes of his pontificate is his focus on artificial intelligence (AI). In his many speeches, he has compared the rise of AI to the Industrial Revolution, saying that it requires ethical safeguards rooted in human dignity. He has emphasized that technologies must serve the common good and must not dominate or exploit.
He has spoken about digital labor, displaced workers, and the economic pressures caused by automation. In doing so, he has underscored the Church’s duty to defend the poor and advocate for a just economic system. By aligning himself with Leo XIII, he positions himself as both a custodian of tradition and a reformer for the digital age. His frequent references to Rerum Novarum may indicate his desire to modernize Catholic social teaching for the 21st century.
Pope Leo XIV is emerging as a leader who seeks to guide the Church through the modern world while maintaining its foundations. His early teachings suggest a papacy deeply concerned with ethical clarity, social justice, global unity, and peace. Rather than retreating from tradition, he boldly reinterprets it in the face of unprecedented global change. He is seen as a leader who can continue the work of Peter, as well as someone who can guide the Church through the challenges of the digital age.
His Life and Legacy: Guiding Catholics into a New Era
Pope Leo XIV’s life and experiences give us a clear idea of what to expect from him as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and as an influential figure in today’s world. His path, from tending to the spiritual needs of the people in Peru to leading the Augustinians as their Prior General, to becoming a Cardinal and the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, and finally being chosen as Supreme Pontiff, provides us with important insights into how he will guide the Church on a global scale in the years to come.
Father Robert Francis Prevost was elected Prior General of the Augustinian Order twice. He traveled extensively, visiting Augustinian communities, houses, and apostolates around the world. Through these experiences, he undoubtedly became grounded in and connected with the realities of the world.
Proximity appears to be the guiding principle of Cardinal Prevost, who, before becoming a cardinal and eventually a pope, lived as a missionary and then a bishop in Peru, where he spent decades serving the poor. He engaged deeply with local communities, focusing on education, social justice, and pastoral care. This immersion in the world’s realities has instilled in him a commitment to the Church that is close to the people, especially the forgotten and marginalized. As pope, he emphasizes the importance of a “Synodal Church” that listens to and walks with its members. This reflects the missionary spirit of accompaniment he practiced in Peru.
Pope Leo XIV’s background profoundly influences his leadership of the Catholic Church. His experiences shaped his administrative capabilities, pastoral priorities, efforts to uphold peace, and dedication to unifying the Church. These qualities have ensured that the Church remains a vibrant and relevant institution today.
A Papacy Rooted in the Present, Oriented towards the Future
Pope Leo XIV does not just step into the role of pontiff with a title; he steps into it with a clear sense of purpose. His choice of name, his initial statements, and his life experience demonstrate his deep connection to the Church’s mission. These factors suggest that his papacy will have a significant ethical impact in an increasingly uncertain world.
He doesn’t lead as a distant figure wrapped in protocol; rather, he leads as a pastor who walks with his people, especially those on the margins. His years in Peru, his work with the poor, and his commitment to listening all point to a pope who believes the Church must be close to real life, not removed from it. His emphasis on a synodal church stems from years of lived experience, not theory.
Pope Leo XIV’s message has been consistent: the Church must not fear change, but rather, shape it with wisdom. Whether he is confronting the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence (AI), challenging economic systems that devalue human beings, or calling for peace in war-torn regions, He is asking hard questions and offering moral clarity. While drawing from the past, especially the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, he’s clearly focused on the future.
Pope Leo XIV doesn’t just talk about change; he’s ready to lead it. His papacy is a call to action, conscience, and communion. It is a bold step into a new chapter of Catholic history led by a man whose life and name reflect purpose.
Sources:
Vatican News, Biography of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/biography-of-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html
Vatican News, Matteo Bruni: Pope Leo XIV’s name choice highlights the Church’s mission https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/matteo-bruni-holy-see-press-office-conference-leo-xiv-pope-elect.html
Pope Leo XIV, Address of his Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the College of Cardinals, accessed June 5, 2025, https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250510-collegio-cardinalizio.html