Only several weeks ago, Robert Francis Prevost was a rather low-key cardinal from Chicago.
However, on the 8th of May, the 69-year-old shocked the world when he came from the papal conclave as a new leader of Catholic Church, now as Pope Leo XIV.
The workers Pope?
Even when some insiders had been touting him as one of the prospects who could step into the shoes left empty by Pope Francis, many had thought that he had fewer chances than others did. But the election of Leo XIV was not the only surprise as his choice of a name has further led to curiosity.
The last pope to take the name of Leo dates back to Leo XIII who reigned between 1878 and 1903 and is hence referred to as “the social pope” due to his championing works rights as well as giving voice to the poor. Others suggest that Leo XIV’s name decision means that he is going to continue that legacy – leans on bridge-building and solidarity.
Although the Vatican has been reluctant to give out the information on the stance of the new pope on the leading political issues, the signals are already surfacing. He has retweeted tweets that criticise Donald Trump, denounced the interpretation of Christianity by the Vice President JD Vance and made explosive statements during his first sermon about “violations of human dignity” and the fascination of society with “technology, money, success, power [or] pleasure.
A retired school principal
Now one of the people who were closest to him i.e. his own brother speaks.
John Prevost, the older brother of the Pope Leo, a retired Catholic school principal, has recently spoken to The New York Times and gave rare personal insights into a person who now serves as a leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.
“I don’t think we’ll see extremes either way” John said and that Leo would adopt a centrist attitude.
However, one delicate and burning issue in which even his homeland, U.S, is also concerned might end up being adequate for the Pope to come out strong.
I know he is not happy with what is happening to immigrations. I can assure you of that fact. Just how much of it he’s going to be doing is anybody’s guess though, but he’s not just going to be sitting and doing nothing. Well, I don’t think that the silent one will be him.
Hobbies
That perspective is reflected in remarks the pope himself made in 2016, when he took a pointed poke at then-candidate Trump vis-a-vis his proposed border wall. A person, who only thinks about building walls wherever they may be, but not about building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel.”
Francis also denounced Trump’s mass-deportation plans, which, according to him, was an affront to the “dignity of many men and women”.
As for Leo XIV, his first mass as pontiff left no doubt that he is up to action. He championed faith and the cause of missionary work; condemning the abuse of human rights and global inequality.
And when he’s not on the frontlines of some of the planet’s most important ethical crises? John though, has a couple of unconventional hobbies too – for one thing, he loves watching the film Conclave in his free time.
A regular guy
“He’s just a regular guy,” John mentioned in addition that while Leo is very serious about his faith, he still has time to have fun. The two are good friends and talk about movies and theology all the time.
Pope Leo XIV is also a big fan of sports and he is Villanova University graduate of 1977. He rooted for the Chicago White Sox at the 2005 World Series and likes playing tennis but hasn’t had the time for it recently. He is also a supporter of the Peruvian soccer team Alianza Lima.
While the world waits to know exactly how Pope Leo XIV will take the Church forward, one thing is certainly becoming evident: under the formal gowns and ancient rites is a man who is passionately convinced — and who has a family that knows its man is ready to speak up just when it counts.
Increased political antagonisms, widening gaps in immigration policies, and a changing global Church still leaves the real question, just how far will this American born pope go? And are the world leaders, and especially the leaders of Washington ready for what he might say next?