Where Goes Leo?

[Highlander]

There was a good deal of speculation, guessing, and invention about Leo's direction when he ascended. Particularly in comparison to Francis. Some here follow these things more than I do. So, I ask, are there any indications where Leo may be oriented and where he might lead the Church?

[anawim]

Since much of what he has been reported as saying hasn't been sourced, I stopped paying attention. The little that I've listened to live seems good, but doesn't seem to be going in any particular direction that I can tell. They seem to be more encouraging than it is a perspective: Pray, and stay close to Jesus.

Just choosing Leo would be the best indication that he plans on focusing on Social Justice, but so far he hasn't announced any forthcoming teachings on the subject.

[Stella]

Pope Leo XIV is very clearly continuing on the coat tails of Vatican II and his predecessor Pope Francis which was to be expected. Following his guidance with submission is another part of the Church's 2000 year old journey.

[zeno]

It is certainly not obvious that he will continue in a manner similar to Francis. Francis clearly broke from the path B16 was on, and with hundreds of years of tradition in many cases as well.

[Doom]

Pope Leo XIV is very clearly continuing on the coat tails of Vatican II and his predecessor Pope Francis which was to be expected. Following his guidance with submission is another part of the Church's 2000 year old journey.

As anyone who has been paying attention would have noticed by now, Leo has been going out of his way to distinguish himself from Francis.

First, he took a traditional Papal name rather than making up a brand new one.

Second, when he appeared on the loggia after his election, he wore the traditional Papal vestments.

Third, he moved back into the Papal apartment.

Fourth, he has used Latin in the liturgy.

All this indicates a desire to "return to normal" after a Pope who had a love of novelty and defying tradition.

Moreover, when Leo gave a homily about how, as Pope, it is important to avoid the temptation to autocracy, many saw this as a subtle criticism of Francis and his authoritarian leadership style.

[Doom]

It is certainly not obvious that he will continue in a manner similar to Francis. Francis clearly broke from the path B16 was on, and with hundreds of years of tradition in many cases as well.

Yes, Francis was more willing than most Popes to defy tradition, but most of what we call Papal "norms" concern matters of custom only, not necessity and certainly not divine law.

We knew immediately after he was elected that he was going to be a Pope who defied tradition when it was announced that he had taken the name "Francis", and when he came out on the loggia wearing only a white cassock rather than the traditional vestments.

Modern Popes have been increasingly willing to defy tradition. Paul VI began the custom of Papal international travel, and gave up the Papal tiara, selling it; it was purchased by the Knights of Columbus.

John Paul I, in his short pontificate of only 34 days, defied tradition on two key points, first in giving himself a double name, and then in refusing the Papal coronation, a rite that had been in use for nearly 1,000 years, in favor of a more modest "Inauguration Mass".

[anawim]

I third what Doom & Zeno mentioned. I don't think Leo is following Francis at all. He is his own man.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

I think it's too early to tell, and I think it's a mistake to try to pigeonhole him as a Francis 2.0 or a turn-back-the-clock traditionalist. Let him tell us who he is and what he's about.

[Doom]

I think it's too early to tell, and I think it's a mistake to try to pigeonhole him as a Francis 2.0 or a turn-back-the-clock traditionalist. Let him tell us who he is and what he's about.

He is not a Traditionist and no one thinks he is.
Just like the last 4 Popes, Leo is a moderate, by which I mean that he doesn't favor any particular party in the Church, his theology is neither particularly right nor left and he is trying up represe everyone.

By Papal standards, Paul VI was a radical, John Paul I, based on the decisions he made seemed to be another radical in the making. But every since has been a moderate. John Paul II and Benedict XVI were a little to the right, while still being moderate. Francis was a little to the left, while still being moderate. Leo looks to be in the same mold.

Certainly the fact that Leo has already restored many customs that Francis abrogated is an important sign. It doesn't seem like he going to be a “to hell with tradition” Pope like Francis (and Paul VI).

One of the biggest changes he introduced is to reverse Francis’ decision to allow the bestowal of the pallium at the local level. For centuries, bishops had to go to Rome to get the pallium, Francis decided that they didn't have to do that anymore. Leo has already reversed the restoring the ancient practice.

[anawim]

Francis was a little to the left, while still being moderate.

The word that springs to mind was, erratic. He was all over the board.

[Doom]

Francis was a little to the left, while still being moderate.

The word that springs to mind was, erratic. He was all over the board.

No, he wasn't. Paul VI, the last radical Pope, definitely was. He even complained that people didn't understand him and thought he was rudderless.

[Stella]

We will certainly be seeing a seamless continuation of Vatican II goals. To the Benedictine monks of Vallombrosa today...

"My beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, tirelessly urged all of us to continue the renewal of the Church promoted by Vatican Council II. We are still asked to overcome self-referentiality, to be poorer and to listen to the poor, to intensify the bonds of communion. In particular, may communion with the other Congregations of the daughters and sons of Saint Benedict help you to remain faithful to the Rule, in dialogue with the contemporary world. Indeed, the quest for a spirituality in which prayer, work and joy intertwine in fidelity to everyday places and things, is always new. Be attentive and hospitable witnesses to it."

[zeno]

We will certainly be seeing a seamless continuation of Vatican II goals.

I have no idea what you think you mean by that, but very few would describe what has been happening in the Church since Vatcan 2 as a "seamless continuation" of anything

[Doom]

We will certainly be seeing a seamless continuation of Vatican II goals.

I have no idea what you think you mean by that, but very few would describe what has been happening in the Church since Vatcan 2 as a "seamless continuation" of anything

More "Vatican II is a super council" commentary

[anawim]

The only people who seem to obsess with Vat. II, are the people who didn't live through it.

[Tired]

The only people who seem to obsess with Vat. II, are the people who didn't live through it.

Even though I was born a few years after, that seems about right.

[Doom]

The only people who seem to obsess with Vat. II, are the people who didn't live through it.

Just like the only people who are obsessed with Pope Francis are people who have few memories of any other Pope. Pope Leo is the 6th Pope of my lifetime, the more Popes you live through, the less important each one seems in the long term.

[Highlander]

I read the above with interest.

I also read an article that proposed that Leo is focused (among other things, I imagine) on the renewal within the Church. Vocations, the Orders, youth.

I perked up with the Orders being mentioned. I wonder if the women's orders have become a thing of the past -- another casualty of feminism and the triumph of secularism.

[zeno]

Go to Rome and you will be amazed at the large number of habited (and young) nuns you see. While less common in the US there are orders such as the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharit that are thriving.

[Doom]

I read the above with interest.

I also read an article that proposed that Leo is focused (among other things, I imagine) on the renewal within the Church. Vocations, the Orders, youth.

I perked up with the Orders being mentioned. I wonder if the women's orders have become a thing of the past -- another casualty of feminism and the triumph of secularism.

Other than the speech he gave in his first week outlining his agenda, we have no idea what he will focus on. Neither does he frankly, the primary job of a Pope, just like the primary job of a president or prime minister, is to respond to "events." But more importantly, a Pope, or even a local bishop, shouldn't come right out of the gate and try to change everything. He needs to spend some time getting acclimated to being Pope and figure out what needs to be done. And he is relatively young for a Pope, he could live another 20-25 years, there is no need for speed. The first encyclical is usually around the 6-month mark, which will give more of an indication of specific direction.