A year into his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has taken a measured approach, contrasting with Pope Francis's early flurry of reforms. While Francis shook things up with new structures and appointments, Leo has sought to find his footing with a longer-term view.
Key Appointments Ahead
Several upcoming appointments in the U.S. and Vatican will allow Leo to shape the church hierarchy. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich turned 77, past the normal retirement age, suggesting a successor may be named soon. Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez turns 75 in December, opening the largest U.S. archdiocese. Leo has already appointed Archbishop Ronald Hicks to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan in New York, a move seen as ideologically neutral.
At the Vatican, British Cardinal Arthur Roche, 76, heads the liturgy office that enforced Francis's crackdown on the Latin Mass. His successor will be scrutinized for signs of how Leo might handle the issue. American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, 78, remains head of the family and laity office and camerlengo. Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny turns 80 in July, becoming the oldest Vatican prefect and losing voting rights, potentially prompting a new class of cardinals.
Changes to Francis's Policies
Leo has reversed some Francis initiatives. In April, he canceled the World Day of Children and suppressed its ad hoc commission. In December, he dissolved a fundraising commission created under questionable circumstances while Francis was hospitalized. Leo also abrogated a 2022 law concentrating financial power in the Vatican bank, allowing the investment committee to use external banks.
Leo met with clergy abuse survivors, promising dialogue on a zero-tolerance policy. Francis had met survivors individually but kept activist groups at a distance.
Key Audiences
Private audiences have revealed Leo's openness to diverse views. He met Gareth Gore, author of a book on Opus Dei, on March 16. On February 6, he met Courage International, a group helping people with same-sex attraction live chastely. On March 5, he met authors of a survey on Latin Mass attendees, indicating his willingness to understand traditionalist perspectives.
Looming Problems
The Latin Mass dispute may escalate on July 1 when four traditionalist bishops are consecrated without Leo's consent, potentially leading to schism and automatic excommunication. On the other side, the Vatican faces a break with the German Catholic Church over the Synodal Path, which proposes a joint decision-making body of bishops and laity, contradicting Catholic ecclesiology. The Vatican has opposed this and German proposals for blessing same-sex couples.
First Encyclical
Leo's first encyclical, expected soon, addresses artificial intelligence and peace and justice issues. He compares the AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution, which Pope Leo XIII addressed in "Rerum Novarum." This shows Leo sees the church as offering guidance in an era of technological change.
