APPEAL IN ASIA
The brand new pontiff has connections to each the worldwide north and world south, together with Asia – notably Southeast Asia – the place he’s “fairly well-known”, stated Dr Hedges.
He was head of the Augustinian spiritual order from 2001 to 2013, which operates in 50 international locations and has a deal with a lifetime of neighborhood and equality amongst its members.
“He travelled by way of the entire world. He’s been a number of instances to the Philippines. He’s been to Taiwan, to Vietnam, to India, to many locations throughout Asia, and which means he’s acquired a community, that folks know him and like him,” Dr Hedges famous.
“In fact, they discover him a really interesting determine.”
Pope Leo XIV additionally has a great working relationship with Asian cardinals like Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, who was a frontrunner to change into pope.
“It will likely be reassuring for the church in Asia, which is now one of many largest-growing elements of the Catholic Church, that any person who’s coming in actually understands what’s (occurring in these elements),” Dr Hedges added.
