THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS PAPAL NAME
What’s in a reputation? Within the case of a papal title, quite a bit.
As soon as elected, the title {that a} chosen pope takes is commonly seen as an indication of their focus and course for his or her papacy.
It may well sign continuity or a break with the previous, and counsel whether or not the brand new chief of the Catholic Church is progressive or traditionalist.
The earlier Pope Leo – Leo XIII, who was pope on the finish of the nineteenth century – was a decided defender of the rights of staff.
He laid the muse for contemporary Catholic social thought, addressing staff’ rights and capitalism on the daybreak of the economic age. He additionally criticised each laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism.
In taking the title Leo XIV, the brand new pontiff is indicating his deep dedication to social points, in line with Natalia Imperatori-Lee, the chair of spiritual research at Manhattan College.
“He’s persevering with a number of Francis’ ministry.”
WILL HE CARRY ON POPE FRANCIS’ WORK?
Whereas Pope Leo XIV’s views on many points are little recognized, he was one of many many cardinals appointed by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
About 80 per cent of the electors who participated within the conclave had been appointed by the late pontiff.
Throughout Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy, he sought to forge a extra compassionate church, whereas additionally upsetting anger from conservatives along with his progressive strategy.
Rev Mark Francis, a buddy of Prevost because the Seventies, advised Reuters the cardinal was a agency supporter of his predecessor’s papacy, and particularly of the late pontiff’s dedication to social justice points.
“He was at all times pleasant and heat and remained a voice of frequent sense and sensible issues for the Church’s outreach to the poor,” stated Rev Francis, who attended seminary with Prevost and later knew him after they each lived in Rome within the 2000s.
“He has a wry sense of humour, however was not somebody who sought the limelight,” he added.
