Leo XIV: Another ‘Social Pope’ for the Times

Janus:

– 10 May 2025 –

Janus:

On Thursday, 8 May, the papal enclave chose the new pope, the American Cardinal Robert Prevost, who chose the regnal name Leo.

The media has made the typical low-brow noise about Leo being an American by birth and how this might affect American influence on the Roman church, and about whether Leo opposes Donald Trump or not, and to what extent did he ignore sex abuse under his authority. None of these sensational questions is particularly relevant here; this is just click-bait for the polarized phone dregs.

The media has also wondered whether or not Leo will continue the progressive policies of Pope Francis. This is an important question for Catholics who uphold Truth and the Faith in their lives within their traditions. Of course, the media analysis focuses on this question in secular terms, as they had with Francis. Based on their framework, the media consensus (for what little that’s worth), suggests that Leo will be a “moderate” on these issues. But what does “moderate” even mean? Let’s see.

Well, for one thing, two years ago, Pope Francis put Prevost in charge of the office that vets new bishops and evaluates existing ones, called the Dicastery for Bishops. This is a significant office, as it functions like a human resources office for Catholic bishops. They essentially nominate whomever the pope will select as bishop, or they investigate whomever the pope might fire. For instance, as prefect of this Dicastery, Prevost was instrumental in firing Bishop Joseph Strickland as bishop of Tyler, Texas in 2023. In vetting new bishops, Prevost shares Francis’ emphasis on a pastoral—as compared to doctrinal—approach in recommending who should serve, in contrast to Prevost’s relatively traditional predecessor in that office, Cardinal Marc Ouellet.

[Bishop Joseph Strickland frequently attacked Pope Francis and his policies. Cardinal In response, Prevost was instrumental in Strickland’s removal as bishop.]

Leo also explicitly shares Francis’ ideal of “synodality,” which these reformers describe as the RC church “walking together” with the people. This supposedly means a greater involvement of the laity in overall influence and church decision-making. Power to the people always sounds very nice and liberating (like Lucifer tempting Eve, to “be as God.”) But in practice, this idea seems more about liberalizing and democratizing the Catholic church to conform with modern, Western Leftism than about making the church more responsive to popular concerns, thus the endless emphasis on women, minorities, sexual identities, immigrants, environmentalism, etc., while they criticize and reject the organic upswell of youth who want a traditional, solid Church in their lives. Somehow “synodality” only moves leftward!

As Cardinal, Leo embraced social media and ran his mouth thereon, while condemning its use to “fuel divisions and controversy”. Yet he has personally used Twitter-X to advance his Leftist views on environmentalism, immigration, Covid shots, and gun control; and to all-too typically make swipes at Donald Trump and J. D. Vance. Social media turns everyone into snide, self-righteous apes, including cardinals and bishops, all hurling their quips like primates hurling feces. Let’s hope that as pope, Leo will show a greater reserve and dignity than he has as cardinal.

[As far as social media, these posts and reposts are mild, even dull. As far as statements from serious leaders, social media posts echo the belches of rabble.]

Since the 20th century, popes have tended to choose a regnal name that symbolizes their intended focus and mission. In choosing the regnal name “Leo,” the new pope is apparently hearkening back to the papacy of Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903. Leo XIII, known as the “Social Pope,” pushed the Roman church towards a greater advocacy of political social justice, and greater support for science and modernity. Presumably Leo XIV wants to be another “Social Pope” for this age, à la Pope Francis. It doesn’t bode well, frankly.

In short, Pope Leo represents a continuation of Pope Francis’ globalist reforms in a (probably) less overtly revolutionary style. If Francis the revolutionary shook things up for Catholics, then “moderate” Leo, it seems, will act to consolidate whatever Francis began.

Of course, time will tell, but based on Prevost’s past actions and statements, this is really a question as to what extent Leo will continue to push Francis’ universalist, Leftist agendas at the expense of traditional Christianity and objective Truth.

[“Moderates” always move Leftward: “Panelists discuss the connection between Catholicism and feminism at a recent Notre Dame conference.”]

At a time when nobody will fight and die for his faith, what role can faith really have in anyone’s life? Personal comfort? In an age where religious faith has become just another personal, subjective choice for each special person to make, what authority does any church really have? What’s left? If the churches want to stay relevant to “the people,” they have to promote comfort for the consumers and conformity to the System that pays all their bills, right?

Wrong! But these churches’ actions and words show where their true faith lies….

I think it’s safe to say that Pope Leo XIV, at best, is just another pope for these fallen times and a lackey for the System. Or, at worst, he’s just another Satanist.

I hope I’m wrong! (But I’m not.)

May the Lord have mercy on His faithful among the Roman Catholics! May He preserve His people and protect His inheritance!