The Quiet Genius of Pope Leo XIV

The papacy is an immensely important position in the Church.  It is also one of the most visible aspects of the Church, being rooted in the Old Testament, built upon St. Peter, and continuing all the way down to the present day.  I am willing to bet that when one thinks of the Catholic Church, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, one will naturally think of the Pope.  Recent popes such as Francis, John XXIII, and most famously, John Paul II, made the papacy an international powerhouse, and they as individuals also became worldwide celebrities.  In doing so, they also did some monumental work in evangelization and spreading knowledge of the Church.

Historically, however, the Pope has not been so much of a celebrity.  Of course, "celebrity culture" as we know it, especially in American culture, is a relatively recent phenomenon, being more rooted in American film culture in the last century.  But throughout the history of the Church, the Pope has so often not been someone among the likes of John Paul II or Francis.  He is simply the Bishop of Rome, and as Bishop of Rome and therefore the successor to St. Peter, he inherits the authority which Peter once had.  "And I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your girdle on him, and will commit your authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open" (Isaiah 22:21-22).  But he need not be a celebrity, he merely is tasked with defending the Church, teaching the truth, and continuing the salvific work of evangelization through the Catholic Church.  He is also the "last word," so to speak, in the authority of the Church on earth, and the Popes have played a crucial role in defining and clarifying Catholic doctrine over the centuries.

Of course, God can and has used "celebrity Popes" for so much good.  Again, John Paul II was used for historic purposes, especially in his role of bringing down Soviet communism and countering the lies of the sexual revolution with his beautiful teachings in the theology of the body.  The election of Francis in 2013 brought a thrilling interest in the papacy in the media, with Francis even being named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2013.  The more recent election of Leo XIV also saw a genuine revival of interest in the papacy, even if it was much briefer than that of his predecessors.  Every Pope is different, just as every person is different, and God will use the talents and personalities of each one for His glory and for the salvation of souls.

After the eras of John Paul, Benedict, and Francis, Pope Leo XIV, only Pope for a few months now, seems to have a quietness about him that is his specialty.  John Paul had tremendous charisma and a remarkable ability to befriend even those who disagreed with him.  Benedict XVI had an incredible gift of intelligence, being one of the most brilliant theologians of the twentieth century.  Francis had a great pastoral gift and desire to speak to the people.  One remembers the incredible charity he showed to a disfigured man who had entered St. Peter's Square, and how this scene inspired the world.  Francis was also certainly no stranger to speaking his mind.  But Leo seems to be quieter, more reserved, more content to remain still and calm.  And perhaps this is where his power lies: in his quietness and his humility.  Whereas John Paul moved the world with his triumphant first papal words of "Be not afraid!" as he stepped out onto the balcony, Leo has seemingly remained much quieter.  But this is not something to worry about: this is who the man is, a man of peace and quiet humility.  "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength."  Where John Paul reminded the world that it is good to be bold and courageous, Leo is reminding us that it is likewise good to be quiet and calm.  Perhaps the Church is entering into an era where we will once again have a "quieter" papacy, and perhaps this is a good thing.  Leo may not be the celebrity that his predecessors were, but he need not be.  God has said everything which He wishes to say to the human race in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in His Church.  

Maybe what is most exciting about Leo is his choice of a papal name.  Leo is of course a more traditional papal name, and the last Bishop of Rome to take this name was Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 until 1903.  His papacy oversaw much of the Industrial Revolution, when much of the world was drastically changed by the economic and societal changes that the Revolution brought.  It was a bold new frontier with great promise and many problems, which Leo XIII so often spoke into.  Our new Leo is likewise leading the Church during a time of great upheaval with the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence, and the drastic changes it is constantly bringing to work and other areas of life.  However AI will continue to change the world, the Church will still be present, and the Bishop of Rome will continue to lead the Church through the brightest and darkest of times.  

It is still so early in this papacy, and Pope Leo has yet to publish an encyclical that will provide much insight into his vision for the Church.  He may yet be Pope for many years to come, and may indeed prove to be one of the great ones.  For now, his quietness, humility, and peacefulness are an inspiration.  Let us pray for him.