Michael Haynes

Once more the complex relationship England has with the Catholic Church was thrust into the global spotlight at the Vatican, with Pope Leo XIV’s formal proclamation of St. John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church

By defending his Secretary of State in such a manner, Leo both warned Israel of the unwavering nature of the Holy See’s stance on the matter, and shut down the debate without directly fanning the flames any further himself

Leo’s measured approach to hot-button issues in the early days of his papacy suggests he will not replicate the example of Pope Francis in regularly making controversial statements, rather he will conduct a quieter method to address such issues