The Catholic Church has a new pope: Leo XIV. The Cardinals who elected him were largely appointed by Pope Francis, and it initially appears that Leo shares some similarities with his predecessors. Yet, it’s really too early to tell. Catholics should hope that Leo takes a different direction. The Church is currently caught in a struggle against three antagonistic ideologies: globalism, Islam, and communism—and it seems to be faltering on all fronts.
Pope Francis earned the title of the “People’s Pope,” supposedly representing the everyday Catholic. However, he often aligned with more progressive globalist views. He firmly opposed efforts by President Trump to secure American borders, as well as similar initiatives in Europe aimed at reclaiming national sovereignty. Under Francis, the Church encouraged borderless migration, which, some argue, has undermined the Western Christian world by facilitating significant Muslim migration into Europe. Many immigrants perceive the secularized Christian cultures as lacking substance. European leaders, overwhelmed by guilt, appeared to surrender to these pressures. This capitulation has resulted in increased crime and a pervasive sense of self-loathing across the continent. Without radical changes, Europe risks falling into further chaos.
Pope Francis also faced significant challenges. During the long-standing sexual abuse crisis within the Church, he failed to lead with the much-needed transparency and accountability. When he ascended to the papacy, there was an opportunity to confront these grave issues and work to restore trust among the faithful. Unfortunately, he largely remained silent, which only reinforced a culture where abuse could be hushed and overlooked. This betrayal exacerbated an already serious crisis, leaving millions disillusioned.
Pope Leo XIV now stands at a crucial juncture and must be swift and resolute. The Church cannot sustain another leader who retreats or colludes in its struggles.
Disgraceful Compromise
In December 2017, Pope Francis appeared on Italian television and expressed doubts about the traditional wording of the Lord’s Prayer, specifically questioning the line asking God not to “lead us into temptation.” He posed the question, “What father would lead his child into temptation?”
This inquiry suggests a deeper confusion. The prayer highlights the concept of human freedom, which is not about divine cruelty but rather a reflection of the free will bestowed upon humanity—the ability to choose good over evil. The prayer is a plea for guidance in navigating this freedom. Pope Francis seems to struggle with this notion, indicating a discomfort with the responsibility that freedom entails.
Simultaneously, Francis dispatched Cardinal Theodore McCarrick to Beijing to negotiate a secret agreement with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a deal that effectively granted partial control of the Catholic Church in China to the state-run Catholic Patriot Association established by the CCP in 1957 to suppress genuine Christianity.
The idea of religious freedom in communist China is essentially a facade. Teaching the faith to children is largely prohibited, and families must wait until children reach 18 before they can legally attend church. At that point, they approach worship not as followers of God but as subjects of the Communist Party. Such a delay not only stifles faith development but also serves to demean the act of worship itself.
No More Submission
Some Chinese Catholics might argue that a state-sanctioned church is better than none at all. Perhaps Pope Francis thought that allowing the CCP to overtake a central symbol like the cross was a pragmatic compromise.
Yet, permitting an atheistic regime to dictate how Christians worship is not a balancing act; it’s a grave compromise. It contradicts the very purpose of the Church. Observing the Vatican’s actions can be quite unsettling.
Pope Leo XIV needs to take a definitive stance. He must renounce any agreements with the CCP that sacrifice human freedom for bureaucratic convenience. Freedom of conscience, the right to worship, and the freedom to speak truthfully—these are fundamental to the Christian mission. Even in China, underground churches continue to flourish, often at great personal risk, demonstrating a faith steeped in courage.
On the contrary, the Vatican’s attempted alignment with the CCP only reinforces a blend of materialism, Maoism, and political submission. True Catholics should not be deceived into thinking this hybrid represents anything but an ideological ruse. Communism and Christianity cannot coexist. The new Pope must declare this unequivocally and without hesitation.
The most troubling aspect for a faithful follower is the acceptance of totalitarian rules imposed by the Vatican. Rather than serving as a bulwark against tyranny, the Church encouraged its members to prioritize allegiance to the state over loyalty to God through secret accords with Beijing. This message is antithetical to the essence of faith. The Vatican must make public its secret agreements with the CCP so that the extent of oppression becomes evident.
China’s plight serves as a painful reminder. Christ is the sovereign over sin, yet evil still holds sway in this world. This duality emphasizes humanity’s ongoing reliance on God while acknowledging the efforts of darkness to separate individuals from Him. The suppression of Chinese followers, the rise of Islamic terrorism, and other global issues underscore a troubling reality that remains unaddressed.
All Catholics, and indeed Christians, should pray for Pope Leo XIV’s courage to lead boldly and to resist the globalist path of his predecessor. He might find wisdom in Thomas Jefferson’s words: “A rebellion against a tyrant is obedience to God.” That call to action is more urgent now than ever, and may the new Pope heed it.
