OPD: 16 May 2025, edited by Helaine Schweitzer
Expectations for New Pope To Mend Rifts among American People
Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, has been selected as the new and first American pope, taking the name Leo XIV. As tyrannical superpower nations spread chaos around the world, the new pope has called on the faithful to believe in “a Church that builds bridges.” We hope to see a strong expression of intent and action to mend divisions.
The new pope, a Chicago native, served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for nearly 20 years working closely with the poor and immigrants, among other socially vulnerable people.
He took the name Leo after Pope Leo XIII, who championed the rights of oppressed workers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. One could say that choosing this papal name reflects his commitment to helping the weak and confronting poverty.
The new pope was not initially a leading candidate in the conclave to choose a successor to the late Pope Francis, since the conclave did not traditionally choose a candidate from the United States, which has a strong influence on the world.
The reason behind breaking this unwritten rule and choosing a U.S. native is that there is a growing expectation within the Vatican that Pope Leo will curb the recklessness of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is stoking division.
We hope that Pope Leo XIV will meet with Trump as soon as possible and explain how xenophobia, discrimination based on immigrant status, race, and gender, and cuts in aid to the poor are pointless and inhumane.
The way Pope Leo speaks about Trump who ignores the international order is sure to resonate with those outside the Catholic Church and expand the circle of solidarity that transcends national borders.
“I … address the world’s leaders, repeating the ever-timely appeal: “Never again war!” the pontiff said at his first Sunday prayer meeting.
The pope expressed a wish for a cease-fire in Ukraine and in Gaza, which are taking victims day after day. The statements of religious leaders to their 1.4 billion followers carry weight. We hope they will continue talking about peace until the day that war ends.
The former Pope Francis especially poured his heart into abolishing nuclear weapons. We strongly hope that Pope Leo XIV will also pick up this way of thinking and offer prayers at the atomic bomb sites of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The new pope, a Chicago native, served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for nearly 20 years working closely with the poor and immigrants, among other socially vulnerable people.
He took the name Leo after Pope Leo XIII, who championed the rights of oppressed workers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. One could say that choosing this papal name reflects his commitment to helping the weak and confronting poverty.
The new pope was not initially a leading candidate in the conclave to choose a successor to the late Pope Francis, since the conclave did not traditionally choose a candidate from the United States, which has a strong influence on the world.
The reason behind breaking this unwritten rule and choosing a U.S. native is that there is a growing expectation within the Vatican that Pope Leo will curb the recklessness of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is stoking division.
We hope that Pope Leo XIV will meet with Trump as soon as possible and explain how xenophobia, discrimination based on immigrant status, race, and gender, and cuts in aid to the poor are pointless and inhumane.
The way Pope Leo speaks about Trump who ignores the international order is sure to resonate with those outside the Catholic Church and expand the circle of solidarity that transcends national borders.
“I … address the world’s leaders, repeating the ever-timely appeal: “Never again war!” the pontiff said at his first Sunday prayer meeting.
The pope expressed a wish for a cease-fire in Ukraine and in Gaza, which are taking victims day after day. The statements of religious leaders to their 1.4 billion followers carry weight. We hope they will continue talking about peace until the day that war ends.
The former Pope Francis especially poured his heart into abolishing nuclear weapons. We strongly hope that Pope Leo XIV will also pick up this way of thinking and offer prayers at the atomic bomb sites of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
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