My initial reaction to the election of Pope Leo XIV was caution and curiosity. I was suspicious of his connections to Cardinal Cupich’s Chicago and his being a protege of Pope Francis, but after listening to the analysis of some folks who are smarter and more knowledgable than me I am, this morning, feeling increasingly optimistic. Here are ten reasons why…and I’m saving he best and most important for last…

  1. Pope Leo’s choice of regnal name. Leo XIII was a genuinely wonderful pope for many reasons. He was an intellectual who understood that the world was on the threshold of modernity and he did something about it: he laid the foundation for the Church’s social teaching in Rerum Novarum and thus established an intellectual and doctrinal response to the needs of the poor and the social upheavals that were imminent. He thus established the church’s preferential option for the poor on a solid foundation of thought and action rather than merely a sentimental appeal. In addition he wrote and promulgated the St Michael prayer, promoted the rosary and through his calm and humble personality brought stability and confidence to the papal office. St John Henry Newman said about Leo XIII after he was elected to succeed Pius IX, “In the successor of Pius IX I recognize a depth of thought, a tenderness of heart, a winning simplicity, and a power answering to the name of Leo, which prevent me from lamenting that Pius is no longer here.”
  2. Pope Leo’s missionary work in Peru. Years of work with the poor in Peru gives him a heart for the poor which is action based. This is not something to be ashamed or afraid of. It is a great gift. This work with the poor has led some down the paths of Marxist-liberation theology politics. It does not need to be so. Leo XIII was on the side of the poor workers, but he also condemned socialism. This is the right path.
  3. Pope Leo spoke about dialogue and “building bridges” in his opening remarks on the loggia. This may sound like accommodation and often it is and accommodation as a sole priority weakens the faith and waters down the strength of the church. This was the talk we had from Pope Francis, but one often got the impression from PF that dialogue meant “You listen to me until you finally agree with me out of exhaustion”. From what we know of Leo he is a conciliatory personality who really does know how to listen to and affirm what is good in both sides. Evidence of this is from his career in Peru where the church was typically divided between the liberation theology liberals and the Opus Dei affiliated conservatives. Word from those in the know say Prevost was skilled in listening to both sides.
  4. Pope Leo’s American roots mean he will understand American history and culture and will therefore build a bridge to  American and American Catholics. This also means he will be able to properly criticize American culture and politics from an informed rather than a biased and ignorant position. Its easier to hear criticism from one of our own rather than from one who clearly dislikes us.
  5. I think it was my friend John Allen who observed that the Italians said of Prevost that he was “the least American of the Americans” Europeans often look down on Americans as being “large and in charge”. Pope Leo obviously has a reputation of being not so American in that sense–and that is a good thing for the church and for the world and for Americans.
  6. Semiotics are the language of sign and symbol and gesture. For traditionally minded Catholics the signs and symbols that Pope Leo are displaying are so far so good. He did not reject the mozzetta–the red shoulder cape worn by popes on their introduction to the world. When Pope Francis did reject the mozzetta he made a statement. Pope Leo donning it was also a statement. This morning for his first Mass he used the crozier/crucifix used by Pope Benedict XVI. On the loggia he gave the blessing in Latin. In greeting people he allowed them the traditional mark of respect and reverence of kissing his ring. Pope Francis was accustomed to rudely push them away when they tried to kiss the ring. These are all small things, but signs that Pope Leo is respectful of tradition and intends to walk in continuity not only with Francis, but also with Benedict XVI and Leo XIII.
  7. Pope Leo has a good track record of administrative ability. He was not only a bishop in Peru, but he also led the Augustinian Order of which he is professed, he managed the Dicastery of Bishops in the curia and reportedly did so with diplomacy and tact. It is true that he was involved in the firing of conservative Bishop Strickland–but as in all these controversial cases of hierarchical battles–most of us will never know every side of the story and all the details. In this we shall have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
  8. Pope Leo has a strong academic and intellectual record. He’s both smart and knowledgable.
  9. As an American with international experience he should be able to navigate the worldly interchange required of all popes.
  10. Saving the best for last: Pope Leo’s first words on the loggia and in his homily to the cardinals this morning were full of the first priority: the preaching of the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I encourage you to go here and read the text of his homily to the cardinals. I was very happy with how he did not promote a political ideology or a social gospel message, but first and foremost spoke about the need to preach and live the life giving gospel of the Lord. As a former Evangelical (who is thankful for that upbringing) these words warmed my heart and (I admit) made my eyes leak with joy.

We are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus…(beginning) in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion.”