Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass was among the most awesome events in recent history. Many wonder what his pontificate will bring. How will he handle the many significant challenges of the modern world? Will he try to make the church more relevant? Will he be a progressive pope, or will he restore the traditions that seem to have restored young Catholics to the faith? These are all questions worthy of some speculation and certainly warrant the prayers of all, but more to the point, I believe that this pope has already given a nod toward his agenda for his papacy.
First: he took the name Leo. Many have noted that Leo XIII championed the cause for ethics in the workplace with “Rerum Novarum” and challenged the social doctrines of Marxism and communism that plagued the western mind. He was prolific in his teaching and writing and encouraged Catholics to understand social doctrine with an eye against some of the nefarious elements of cultural changes in his day, in other works like “Immortale Dei.” Pope Leo XIV clearly wants to teach boldly these truths in the same light as his namesake. Only time will tell how he approaches it.
Second: Pope Leo spoke boldly at his inaugural Mass about the two dimensions of the papal office: love and unity. Love and unity serve as the bedrock of the Christian tradition. On the balcony, when he was first presented to the world, he spoke “peace.” Obviously, he sees his ministry as one to build bridges to those who feel apart from the Lord and the Church. He declared peace because in Christ we have received our peace, our reconciliation, our very life. “Peace also became the theme of his first Sunday address, remarking that we need to make an effort to bring peace to Ukraine, peace in the Middle East, and an end to war. By Christ’s peace we are united in our hope for a better life to come. His holiness speaks of peace and unity because in his apostolic ministry he is called to make peace and bring unity to us all.
Third, perhaps the most moving moment in his pontificate for this author, thus far, was how he looked upon the ring signifying his Petrine ministry. With great joy he received the ring from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, but then he looked at it soberly and with great pause brought his hands together in prayerful reflection. For the world, I believe he showed in his own emotion the great weight of his office and with quiet assent, his humility to take on the responsibility of that office in prayerful obedience. Again, he remarked in his homily that he “was chosen without any merit of my own, and now with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be a servant of the faith and your joy.” The gravity of his office is not forgotten by him, nor does he seem reluctant to share the burden he carries for the whole church.
All in all, these all seem to be good signs that our church is in good hands. At least, it seems to be off to a good and fruitful start. Perhaps now it is best for the rest of us, faithful Catholics and Christians of good will, to pray for Pope Leo XIV, that he may be the bearer of peace and unity, that he might be inspired by the Holy Spirit and remain close to the Lord in all the ways he is called to lead and govern, and that he remains humble in the execution of his sacred duties now and into the future. Viva il Papa!
Father Nicholas T. Fleming is the pastor of Saints John and James Parish, West Warwick.
