Viva il Papa: A Young Catholic's Thoughts on the New Pope

The college cafeteria was astir. An excited buzz of voices rushed across the room, students leaning in to watch the commotion on various devices. White smoke had appeared on the EWTN live stream. A new pope had been elected. The students immediately began speculating who the new Pontiff would be, and what name he might choose. Some said he would be from an Eastern country, others African. Some wondered whether he would choose a new name or return to a traditional one, such as “Pius” or the even older “Marcellinus.”

I was among the students in my college’s cafeteria that day. I, too, speculated about who would appear on the Vatican balcony. My friends and I huddled around one of our phones, watching in anticipation. That’s when we heard, “The first American pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.” Needless to say, I was surprised. And perhaps a little wary. An American pope? Was that even possible?

I returned to my dorm in time to listen to Pope Leo’s speech. As the only one in my room who can somewhat understand Italian, I translated parts of it for my roommates. I listened thoughtfully and with interest as the new Pontiff expressed a desire for unity and peace among all people. He gave his blessing in Latin, which I translated excitedly.

As many young Catholics, I regularly attend the Latin Mass. I love and promote traditional Catholic values. Unique to myself as a Classicist, I also foster a great interest and care for the Eastern roots of Christendom and for the Medieval Church.  Needless to say, I have a special dedication to the tradition and history of the Church, especially her roots in the East and her growth in Western Christendom. The legacy of the Chair of St. Peter throughout this tradition is something I have studied and grown to appreciate since high school, and I have now been able to witness two conclaves within my lifetime.

Along with some of my other traditional-leaning friends and family members, I was both hesitant and interested in the most recent conclave. I was born under Pope John Paul II, spent my earliest years under Pope Benedict XVI, and became aware of Church politics under Pope Francis. I watched the papacy of Pope Francis with confusion. As a young Catholic, it was troubling to be learning and growing in my Faith, yet hearing the Pope declare certain things that seemed contrary to what I knew. While I maintained, and still maintain, respect and fraternal love for Pope Francis, I often found it difficult to understand and navigate his words and ideas.

Hearing that the new pope is an American at first caused me some hesitancy. America has issues, without a doubt. The American Church, too, struggles at times and can fall prey to modern ideologies. As a young American Catholic, it can be hard to see fellow young Catholics fall into ideas and views that are contrary to Church teaching, due to the simple fact that they have not been taught properly. 

Several people have asked my opinion on Pope Leo, and for many days I refused to give a firm answer. There was simply not enough information to go on, and I wanted to wait until I knew more about the new Pontiff. Now, although I am still deeply interested to see how Pope Leo will lead us, I believe I can give a bit more of an anwer.

After reading some of the speeches Pope Leo has given over the past weeks, as well as listening to Catholic commentators, I can say that I am looking forward with renewed hope. Pope Leo has expressed humility, understanding, and intelligence in his words thus far. He seems to have a strong focus on Catholic social doctrine, true unity within the Church and the world, and a missionary outlook on evangelization. He also seems to have a true appreciation for the traditions of the Church that have been passed down to us for centuries, as can be seen in his desire to communicate with the Eastern Church and his love for the Latin language and Gregorian chant. I also must add that his choice of name is wonderful. “Leo XIV” has a strong sound to it (Leo in Latin meaning “lion”), and reflects the many remarkable popes bearing that name throughout history (most notably, as the new pope himself remarked, Leo XIII, the author of Rerum Novarum and promoter of Catholic social doctrine).

In his address to representatives of the media, Pope Leo declared that we should not run away from the challenges of the times and should “never give in to mediocrity.” As a timely reminder, he quotes St. Augustine, who once wrote, “Let us live well and the times will be good. We are the times” (Discourse 80.8). I think this quote is a beautiful reminder that it is up to us, especially as Catholics, to shape the world into what God intends it to be. We have been given stewardship of the earth and its creatures, as well as the care of each of our brothers in Christ. We truly are the times, in that our reponses, actions, and decisions contribute to how the course of history will be decided. No matter who the pope may be, no matter how bad things may look, it is up to us to ensure the care of all men and all creation, and that the Word of God reaches the ends of the earth, setting hearts ablaze with Love and Truth. As the Catholic historian Warren Carroll declared, “One man can make a difference.”

I continue to pray that Pope Leo XIV will make a difference through his pastoral influence, and that he will guide Christ’s flock in his role as the Successor of St. Peter. I have great hope that he will prove to be a strong leader and a loving Holy Father, and that he will direct the Church according to tradition, truth, and God’s loving will. 

Viva il Papa!