Pope Leo XIV wasn’t the first bet for many Vatican watchers heading into the Papal Conclave – being born in Chicago, United States - but he brings a wealth of experience and is respected by Catholics across the spectrum.
At his heart, he seems to have a very pragmatic nature, cautious to jump into any issue without carefully listening and discerning. He has shown he is willing to engage widely and carefully consider their perspective to reach a diplomatic outcome.
His track record suggests he’ll embody the best elements of his two successors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI.
Just like Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV shares a love of dialogue and listening, making the Church more participatory, and seeing synodality as a way of connecting the Church and moving forward.
Like Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Leo shares a judicial way of thinking, carefully considering issues and maintaining a more traditional view on ordination and the blessing of same-sex couples.
A missionary from the moment he was ordained a priest, he has always shown a heart for people living outside of the centres of power.
After decades of serving within Peru, he was made Apostolic Administrator and then Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo. While in this role, he dealt with instances of historical abuse while also proving to be a skilled diplomat and leader in the civil world too.
As Vice President of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference, he played an important role in ensuring institutional stability during numerous political crises in the country in the past decade, with continual overthrows of presidents. He was an advocate for peace and dialogued with the administrations, even those who had previously had difficult relations with the Church.
He has been praised by those within and outside the Church for his ability to listen and master difficult issues.
He also has a strong academic background which includes a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Divinity. His academic prowess also shone through during his seminary studies. He was sent to study in Rome prior to ordination and achieved a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1984 and a Doctor of Canon Law degree in 1987 from the Pontifical College of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
He also served as the head of the Augustinian seminary in Truijillo during his time in Peru, while also teaching canon law in the local diocesan seminary. He was later to hold US and Peruvian dual citizenship.
This missionary and academic experience has been complimented by a broad range of administrative experience too. In 1998 he was elected provincial of the Augustinian Province of Chicago and shortly after, elected as Prior General of the Augustinians, where he served for 12 years.
Since 2023, he served as the Prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops, managing the complicated world of episcopal appointments, ad limina visits and the creation of new dioceses. Throughout it all, his ability to manage such a heavy portfolio was praised.
He was noted as a supporter of Pope Francis’ change in pastoral practice to allow divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion. However, he seemed to be more cautious over Fiducia Supplicans, saying it was important local dioceses and bishops had power to enact the document within their own cultural contexts.
A skilled linguist, Pope Leo XIV speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, and can read Latin and German.
He has carefully guarded himself from media attention, which may prove difficult going forward as the Bishop of Rome.
Overall, Pope Leo XIV appears to be someone who will carefully listen and consider the many difficult issues facing the Church.
While he may have been viewed as a compromise candidate, he may be exactly what the Church needs, bringing a pragmatic approach to leadership while showing the love of a missionary.