As Pope Leo marks his first Easter as pontiff, nearly a year after his predecessor's death, Catholics remain divided over his leadership style. Some wish he would be more vocal on global conflicts, while others appreciate his discreet use of influence.
The feast comes amid war in the Middle East, triggered by US-Israeli strikes in Iran. Leo, mild-mannered and diplomatic compared to Francis, has indirectly rebuked US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Palm Sunday, he delivered his strongest condemnation yet, saying God ignores prayers of leaders with 'hands full of blood'. On Tuesday, he named Trump directly, expressing hope the president would find an 'off-ramp' to end the war in Iran.
Some Catholics want a more explicit moral stance. 'I'd like to see him be a bit more vocal about what's going on in the world,' said Joanne Coleman, a religion teacher from Ireland. Gabriele, a souvenir shop worker, added: 'Now is not the time for being timid. He's an American – I thought they were supposed to be more direct?'
Before his election, Leo criticised Trump's immigration policies and shared an op-ed titled 'JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others.' However, he quickly favoured diplomacy, hosting Vance and Marco Rubio at the Vatican within two weeks of his election. Vatican correspondent Iacopo Scaramuzzi said Leo is 'pragmatic', calibrating his strategy on 'the efficacy of his actions' rather than the resonance of his words. The Holy See has mediated in Venezuela and Cuba and attempted to prevent US military action.
In July, Leo condemned the 'barbarity' of the Gaza war, including a strike on the strip's only Catholic church. In September, he held a private audience with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to restore diplomatic efforts. Holy Week saw another clash after Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; Israeli authorities later apologised, a move Scaramuzzi attributed to Leo's influence.
Scaramuzzi believes the Vatican is discreetly intervening with the White House. 'We're in a very delicate period and Leo's strategy is to use his influence and work discreetly rather than make public pronouncements. He appears soft in form, but is strong in substance.'
