Last week, the white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of Robert Prevast as Pope Leo XIV, marking his succession to Pope Francis.
Now, millions globally are curious about whether Pope Leo XIV will uphold the more progressive approach of Francis or steer the Catholic Church back towards tradition and orthodoxy.
John-Henry Westen, the CEO and co-founder of LifeSiteNews, shared insights with Glenn Beck, suggesting that a key indicator of the new pope’s direction is already evident.
“In the Catholic world, Bishop Strickland was recognized as the most saintly bishop in the American church,” Westen stated. “But he opposed the system and faced removal. Francis had a history of being against traditional Catholic teachings on various issues like abortion, birth control, and divorce.”
Strickland, unlike many other bishops, had significant numbers in terms of seminarians per capita. According to Westen, financial circumstances also played a role in these dynamics. Notably, there hasn’t been a fresh scandal regarding sexual abuse tied to his tenure, he noted.
Many suspect that Strickland’s dismissal, which was backed by Cardinal Prevast, was likely a politically motivated response to his criticisms of Pope Francis.
Therefore, one of the strongest signs of Pope Leo XIV’s future direction may hinge on whether he reinstates Bishop Strickland in the Diocese of Tyler.
“It’s crucial for all of America to pay attention to the reinstatement of Bishop Strickland,” expressed Westen. “This would be a genuine indication of Pope Leo XIV’s values.”
“If he doesn’t bring Strickland back, then something’s off,” he added during his conversation with Beck.
When Glenn wondered if there were signs that the new pope might take a different route, he pointed out that Pope Leo XIV has been vocal against Donald Trump.
“He’s a registered Republican from Chicago, yet he takes an anti-Trump stance,” Westen explained, alluding to Pope Leo XIV’s stance on immigration, similar to Francis’.
It’s also noted that during the pandemic, while serving as a bishop in Peru, Prevast enforced certain restrictions, like suggesting receiving communion by hand instead of on the tongue and allowing confessions via phone.
Still, Westen believes there are “some hopeful signs.” For instance, during his initial appearance on St. Peter’s Cathedral balcony, Leo XIV donned a traditional vestment, contrasting with Francis’s choice of liturgical garments.
He also delivered remarks in Latin, a language that fell out of favor in routine church practice.
Does this suggest a potential return to Catholic tradition?
“I can see where he’s coming from,” Westen remarked, though he had one more detail that gave him even greater hope—details available in the clip above.
