Below is an extract about Pope Leo XIV from the article “Leo XIV: Mission Pope,” written by Jamie O’Brien and published in The Record Magazine, Issue 48, July 2025:
“Newly elected Pope Leo XIV brings missionary zeal, bold humility, and a global vision to lead the Church into a renewed era.
The Catholic world entered a new chapter on 8 May 2025 when American Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th successor of St Peter, taking the historic name Pope Leo XIV.
The selection of the American-born pontiff, who has spent most of his life as a missionary in Peru and serving at high levels within the Vatican, represents a significant and symbolic moment for the Church, as it embarks on a papacy expected to blend tradition and innovation, pastoral care, and social engagement.
A Cosmopolitan Pontiff with a Missionary Heart
Born in Chicago on 14 September 1955, Pope Leo XIV – formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost – has a diverse heritage of French, Italian, Spanish and Creole ancestry.
His early life, steeped in Augustinian spirituality and community service, laid the foundation for his distinctly missionary outlook.
Educated at Villanova University and later ordained an Augustinian priest, Pope Leo’s pastoral journey was extensively shaped by his two decades serving in Peru, where he was known for his humble yet effective leadership style and dedication to social justice.
His multilingual abilities – English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Latin, and German – speak to his global perspective, a vital trait for a pontiff expected to unify diverse cultural and theological traditions within the Church.
Continuity and Renewal
In his first public blessing Urbi et Orbi after his election on 8 May, Pope Leo XIV immediately made clear his pastoral tone.
“Peace be with you!” he said.
“This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarmed peace and a disarming peace, humble and persevering. It comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally.”
His emphasis on peace, unity, and outreach to the marginalised reflects continuity with Pope Francis’ pastoral priorities, particularly the commitment to a “synodal Church” that is deeply missionary and inclusive.
Pope Leo’s adoption of his papal name signals a deliberate continuation of a significant legacy. Pope Leo XIII, famous for the encyclical Rerum Novarum, was a champion of social justice, workers’ rights, and dialogue with modernity. Pope Leo XIV has underscored his commitment to further integrate Catholic social teaching into contemporary issues, including the ethical implications of new technologies like artificial intelligence.”
Mr John Bormolini
Principal
