There’s a lot of speculation about Pope Leo XIV—many are asking if he’s really a reformer in the mold of Pope Francis or more of a traditionalist like the popes before him. The answer seems to hinge on specific issues, but let’s be clear: anyone thinking he’s just a replica of Francis is mistaken. Remember, he doesn’t fit neatly into any ideological box.
It’s curious to see people on one side calling him the “awakened” pope while others grieve that he might be. But neither viewpoint seems quite right.
The reality is that some on the left prioritize power and are experts at misleading the public.
And just a heads-up: any alarms going off over this are probably unfounded.
Some articles have been published praising this new “awakened” pope for criticizing Vice President J.D. Vance. For instance, he suggested that love should begin with family, which had some support from figures like Robert Prible, a priest, who insisted that Jesus didn’t ask us to rank our loves.
However, branding this new pope as “awakened” seems a bit far-fetched. Vance made the point that love needs a hierarchy, and many Catholic theologians would back him up. Theological disputes like these aren’t unusual, but merely taking a stand doesn’t equate to a real awakening; that’s a rather immature way to frame it.
There’s also right-wing commentator Laura Rumer who has labeled this pope as both “awakened” and “Marxist.” It’s striking, considering her level of education.
Think for a moment about the landscape of our country—it shows just how extreme both ends of the spectrum have become. Some leftist publications defending figures like Stalin might be misguided in their attempt to connect this new pope to social justice ideals similar to those of Pope Leo XIII.
It’s true that people compare this new pope to Leo XIII, but it’s a misconception to suggest that the popes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were social justice advocates in a contemporary leftist sense. They highlighted critical issues, including capitalism’s flaws, yet it seems many didn’t bother to read “Rerum Novarum” from 1891, where Pope Leo XIII warned against the dangers of Marxism.
He prophesied that the ideal of equal distribution would lead only to suffering. Plus, he was supportive of private property, which doesn’t exactly align with socialist values.
Orthodox Catholics are likely relieved to see that Pope Leo XIV holds firm stances on life issues, opposing abortion, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. He understands marriage and family well.
However, he doesn’t shy away from addressing topics like “gay lifestyles” and alternative family structures. This might be seen as good news for faithful Catholics, as he’s not trying to make headlines with controversial statements. On the topic of gender ideology in schools, he has clearly stated the confusion it may cause for young people.
When it comes to immigration, he appears more aligned with liberal viewpoints. He has openly criticized Trump’s policies and the strict measures taken by the President of El Salvador against illegal immigration. This suggests he might have some complex views on handling border issues that directly affect citizens.
Now, what political camp does Pope Leo XIV belong to? He has cast votes in Republican primaries in previous years, yet he seems to be more aligned with traditional Republican views rather than the rhetoric of Donald Trump. Still, labeling him as “awakened” or a “Marxist” would be inaccurate.
It’s worth noting that progressive allies who were hoping for a Pope Francis II might be quietly disappointed. But let’s not kid ourselves—they still want access to the new Pope. Power dynamics tend to overshadow genuine beliefs.
Practicing Catholics might finally feel they have a leader in Pope Leo XIV they can rally behind.
This essay was adapted from a previously published article by the Catholic League.
