Fr Paddy Byrne: There's something about Leo!
Pope Leo is seen as a centrist with progressive leanings on issues like poverty and migration
THERE has been huge focus on the Catholic Church over the past number of weeks.
Following the death of Pope Francis, media commentary intensified with the subsequent conclave which elected Pope Leo X1V. I believe that such focus has been largely positive. World leaders acknowledged that Pope Francis gave tremendous moral leadership to billions of people. His message of kindness and compassion deeply resonated with a generation often divided and starved of spiritual hope. His final visit on Easter Sunday, to embrace the people of God physically, gave witness to the tremendous value of human life, from the cradle to the grave, from the womb to the tomb.
The Church never fails to surprise. Before his election as pope, I never heard the name Robert Prevost. Yet the College of Cardinals selected this man in record time because of his wisdom, compassion and gifted sense of leadership. There is something about Leo! He comes across as calm, capable at peace with himself. I sense his interior life is rich, and that manifests with warmth and serenity. The fundamental task of the new pope is to preach the Risen Christ. Our world longs for hope. These beautiful May days fill us with deep joy. Christ risen from the dead tells us not to be afraid but to trust that all will be well.
There is a palpable sense of goodwill towards Pope Leo X1V. Following Pope Francis, whose words and example reached out to a global audience rooted in the compassion and love of Jesus Christ, I have no doubt that Pope Leo is fuelled by a similar deep spirit, of conviction in the Risen Christ.
In selecting a ‘new Peter’, the Church has discerned the voice of the spirit and in doing so, I pray that Pope Leo will have many years of health and peace.
Robert Francis Prevost, born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, is the 267th pope of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State. He is the first US-born pope, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine and a dual citizen of the USA and Peru, where he served extensively as a missionary.
Raised in a devout Catholic family of French, Italian and Spanish descent, Prevost joined the Augustinians in 1977, was ordained a priest in 1982 and spent significant periods in Peru, including as Bishop of Chiclayo (2015-23). He became a cardinal in 2023 and was prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops before his election. His episcopal motto is: – words pronounced by St Augustine in a sermon on Psalm 127 to explain that ‘although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one’.
Choosing the name Leo XIV, inspired by Pope Leo XIII, who championed social justice, he signals a focus on Catholic social teaching, unity and addressing modern challenges such as artificial intelligence.
His first address emphasised peace, inclusivity and continuing Francis’s legacy of advocating for a ‘church that builds bridges’. Known for his calm demeanour, multilingual skills (English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese) and pastoral experience, Leo XIV is seen as a centrist with progressive leanings on issues like poverty and migration, but more moderate on doctrinal matters. His inauguration Mass was celebrated in St Peter’s Square on Sunday.
God bless Pope Leo XIV and give him the wisdom and courage he needs for his new mission as Vicar of Christ. The fact that the election was completed as quickly as it was tells me that there was significant unity among the cardinals about what the Church needs.
Quoting St Augustine, Pope Leo said: “With you I am a Christian and for you I am a bishop.” In that way he seems to signal his commitment to a synodal Church in which we walk together, listen to one another and listen to the Word of God, but also a Church which recognises the particular pastoral and teaching mission of the Bishop of Rome.
Pope Leo’s focus on peace and on dialogue gives me great hope. His choice of the name Leo is significant, because the previous Pope Leo (Leo XIII) is the pontiff who, in troubled times, initiated the Social Teaching of the Church, which focuses on the dignity of human work, on rights and responsibilities associated with property, justice and peace, integral development and care of the earth.
! I pray that Pope Leo XIV will be strengthened in his ministry. May he continue building bridges that connect us to one another. May he be an example of faith, hope and love. I pray that the Risen Christ fills him with joy in his work and renewed in the Gospel message.
