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The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press
The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press
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What does the new Pope stand for?

Oliver Kelley, Writer
May 21, 2025
Oliver Kelley
On May 8, 2025, Robert Prevost, a cardinal of the catholic church, was appointed as Pope Leo XIV. The new pontiff follows in Pope Francis’ footsteps after the latter’s death on April 21, 2025. The first ever U.S. born pope, Pope Leo has shocked the Catholic world with a break in the pattern of European pontiffs. Pope Leo has also spent many years in Peru working in the city of Chiclayo as the head of an Augustinian seminary. He has gained his Peruvian citizenship and is beloved by many of the residents of not just Chiclayo, but Peru as a whole.

May 8, 2025 saw the election of Pope Leo XIV (Pope Leo). Pope Leo replaced the previous Pope Francis when the latter’s 12 years of service to the Vatican came to a close on April 21, 2025 due to health complications. Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago as the youngest of three brothers, is currently 69 years old and has been a cardinal for two years.

Below is an overview of Pope Leo’s previous life and work, as well as his current views and goals for the duration of his term as leader of the Catholic Church.

A History in Peru

Pope Leo has spent much of his life in Peru. First arriving there in 1985 as a missionary, Pope Leo eventually became a Peruvian citizen, working as the head of an Augustinian seminary. Peruvians think of Pope Leo fondly for his alignment with their sect of Catholicism, the Order of Augustine. This sect is centered around harmony, community and other similar ideals.

In Peru, Pope Leo was known for his generosity and particular kindness towards the poor, regularly visiting economically challenged areas during times of hardship. According to an article by Nicole Winfield from AP news, “[Pope Leo] was beloved in Peru for his closeness to his people, especially poor people. He said he was a champion of social justice issues and environmental stewardship.”

While many see Pope Leo as the first American pope, his work in Peru has gained him the title of the first Peruvian pope as well.

The Pope’s Stance in Politics and Social Issues

Immigration

Pope Leo has outwardly expressed his dislike for the Trump administration‘s plans for mass deportation of immigrants, describing them as a “disgrace,” according to the Washington Post. He believes in the harboring of immigrants and regards the expelling of them with contempt.

Climate Change

The pope has also been very vocal about our current climate crisis, calling multiple summits to formulate solutions to the issue. He has also talked with climate activists, lawmakers and oil executives in an attempt to regulate the growing problem.

LGBTQ+ 

While progressive as pontiffs go, Pope Leo has shown signs of shrinking away from the ideals of Pope Francis when it comes to LGBTQ+ recognition. He has outwardly denounced the portrayal of homosexual families in media and opposed the teaching of gender and sexuality in Peruvian schools.

Abortion

Following the trend of the Catholic church and his predecessors, Pope Leo morally rejects abortion rights. He has described the procedure as “murder” and was part of the anti-abortion club when he attended Villanova University.

What is the Pope’s Philosophy?

Migrants and the impoverished

Pope Leo has much empathy toward underprivileged individuals. During his time in Peru, he worked in Chiclayo – a particularly impoverished city in North-Western Peru. He has been known to advocate for, and stand with, the less fortunate.

Unity

Pope Leo is an advocate for unity and peace of the world, following in Pope Francis’ footsteps. His motto is In illo Uno unum (“In the One, we are one”). 

Mass Media and Popular Culture

According to Pope Leo, the western culture of mass media is promoting anti-Christian lifestyle choices. He states that social media platforms and other modern mediums show sympathy for the “anti-Christian perspective.”

Lasting Reverberations

Pope Leo has been said to be the second coming of Pope Francis with his similarly progressive new take on the conservativeness of the Catholic church. However, just like his predecessors many of his topics of interest remain grounded in traditional practices and ideals.

Many couldn’t care less about the selection and actions of a Pope. You may be wondering, why should you care about the Catholic church if your beliefs don’t align with theirs? And besides, the church has no say in American politics.

Despite this, it’s important to remember that the Pope’s ideas do have influence on over a billion Catholics worldwide. Even if you don’t personally agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church, their actions still have an effect on you and your day-to-day life. As an international public figure, the Pope’s influence goes beyond religion and extends into politics, social issues and the philosophy of our society. 

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About the Contributor
Oliver Kelley
Oliver Kelley, Writer
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