Will Pope Leo XIV heal, resist or appease?

The election of a new father in God reconfigures the Catholic Church. The Church is part institution and, with a father in God, part family; a symbiosis of two different modes of being.

Gavin Ashenden

Gavin Ashenden

St Thérèse and the hidden greatness of small deeds

Magnificat

‘His face was always joyful’

St John Henry Newman

Now are the shades of evening falling upon the earth

10 min read

The election of a new father in God reconfigures the Catholic Church. The Church is part institution and, with a father in God, part family; a symbiosis of two different modes of being.

A new pope brings the opportunity to assess his gifts as leader of the institution and also to learn to love him as our "father in God".

To love our pope we have to get to know him. And so Catholics all over the world are getting better acquainted with Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Bob from Chicago.

Already the furore over conflicting information about his allegiances has begun.

5freearticles every month

Continue reading with a free account. No card needed.

Five free articles every thirty days, on any device you sign in on
The Catholic Herald newsletter, every morning
Subscribe whenever you like for everything: every article and the magazine

Create free account See our subscription offers

subscribe to the catholic herald today

Our best content is exclusively available to our subscribers. Subscribe today and gain instant access to expert analysis, in-depth articles, and thought-provoking insights—anytime, anywhere. Don’t miss out on the conversations that matter most.