The place does Pope Leo XIV stand on key points like sexual abuse, local weather and poverty? | Pope Leo XIV

What’s the place of Pope Leo XIV on the problems that face him and the Roman Catholic church?

Church unity

Inside hours of his election because the 267th pontiff, Leo was being talked about as a bridge builder, a pope that might proceed in Francis’s footsteps however with out alienating traditionalists in the best way his predecessor typically did. He’s “recognized for stable judgment and a eager capability to pay attention, and somebody who doesn’t must pound his chest to be heard”, in response to a latest profile on Crux, a Catholic information web site. He’s “extra pragmatic, cautious and discreet than the late pope”, it added.

In his first look on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, he wore conventional papal apparel, signalling that his type will probably be extra formal than Francis’s, who opted for a easy white cassock for his first balcony look.

Though he’s anticipated to comply with Francis in lots of respects, he’s possible to take action in a extra emollient method than his predecessor. In his opening remarks as pontiff, Leo stated: “Now we have to be a church that works collectively to construct bridges and to maintain our arms open.” He’ll attempt to be a logo of larger unity within the church.

However some conservative cardinals and bishops within the US might bridle at his earlier criticisms of Donald Trump and his inclination in the direction of a progressive, inclusive place. One in all Trump’s most distinguished Catholic allies, Steve Bannon, referred to as Leo the “worst choose for Maga Catholics”, deeming him the “anti-Trump pope”.

In his years working in Peru, Leo – then Robert Prevost – acquired a popularity as a moderating affect among the many nation’s ideologically disparate bishops. He might want to draw on that to carry collectively the totally different factions of the worldwide church.

Social justice, local weather and peace

Leo’s theology is targeted on the poor and marginalised, following his predecessor’s priorities. He has been essential on social media of harsh immigration insurance policies. As pontiff, his language is anticipated to be much less confrontational than Francis’s, however he’s prone to endorse the identical priorities somewhat than search to roll again the late pope’s legacy.

One indication is his view on the function of bishops, expressed whereas serving as head of the Vatican’s ultra-powerful Dicastery for Bishops for the previous two years. A bishop is “not alleged to be a little bit prince sitting in his kingdom however somewhat referred to as authentically to be humble, to be near the folks he serves, to stroll with them and endure with them”, he instructed Vatican Information final yr.

Leo has spoken out on the necessity for pressing motion on the local weather disaster, aligning with Francis’s environmental priorities. He has harassed the church should transfer “from phrases to motion” and warned in opposition to the “dangerous” penalties of unchecked technological growth. “Dominion over nature” mustn’t grow to be “tyrannical”, he stated final yr. It have to be a “relationship of reciprocity”.

Leo is anticipated to need the Vatican’s diplomats to be concerned in efforts to finish conflicts, principally in Ukraine, Gaza and South Sudan. His first phrases as pontiff to the world had been “peace be with you all” and he referred to as for “a disarmed peace and a disarming peace”.

Sexual abuse

Prevost was accused of “disregarding allegations” of abuse in opposition to two clergymen in Peru, and has “a historical past of resisting disclosure of abuse data to the general public”, in response to the survivors’ organisation BishopAccountability.

Over the previous two years, when he headed the Dicastery for Bishops, he oversaw instances of bishops accused of abuse and its cover-up, stated Anne Barrett Doyle, a co-director of BishopAccountability. “He maintained the secrecy of that course of, releasing no names and no information. Beneath his watch, no complicit bishop was stripped of his title.”

As Pope Leo, he should “win the belief of victims and their households”, she added.

In line with the School of Cardinals report on him, Leo’s supporters “stress his innocence and say the instances have been inaccurately and unfairly reported within the media”. They insist he adopted correct procedures within the case of two Peruvian clergymen accused of molesting women.

The problem of sexual abuse and its cover-up is prone to canine Leo’s papacy because it did Francis’s. Though Francis got here to a greater understanding of the size of the disaster within the church, survivors say he didn’t take sufficient concrete motion and they are going to be watching Leo carefully.

LGBTQ+ points

Lately, Prevost has largely saved a low profile on the problems of sexuality and id. In 2012, he expressed concern that western information media and well-liked tradition promoted “sympathy for beliefs and practices which are at odds with the gospel”, particularly referencing the “gay way of life” and “different households comprised of same-sex companions and their adopted kids”.

Final yr, he neither endorsed nor rejected blessings for same-sex {couples}, saying there have been cultural variations throughout the globe, with some international locations nonetheless criminalising same-sex relationships.

LGBT+ Catholics Westminster, a UK-based marketing campaign group, stated: “Opinions and concepts can change … He has expressed openness to marginalised teams, although his stance on particular points stays ambiguous, together with the issues of LGBT+ Catholics.”

Girls

In October 2023, Prevost stated that “clericalising ladies” – ordaining them – wouldn’t clear up the church’s issues and may even create new ones. “The apostolic custom is one thing that has been spelled out very clearly, particularly if you wish to discuss in regards to the query of ladies’s ordination to the priesthood,” he stated.

However, he added: “I believe there will probably be a seamless recognition of the truth that ladies can add an important deal to the lifetime of the church on many alternative ranges.”

In 2022, he appointed three ladies to assist him in his job advising on the number of bishops.