In the book-interview “Leone XIV: citizen of the world, missionary of the 21st century”, by Elise Ann Allen, Pope Prevost says his on the most thorny themes: from war to Gaza to relations with China, passing through gay marriages and sexual abuse.
«I have already talked about marriage, as Pope Francis did when he was Pope, of A family made up of a man and a woman in a solemn commitmentblessed in the sacrament of marriage ».
This is the thought of Pope Leo XIVconfided to the writer Elise Ann Allen in the interview book “Leo XIV: citizen of the world, missionary of the 21st century“(Penguin), released today in Peru, the place where Pope Prevost has turned his missionary work for long years.
In the book, the Supreme Pontiff deals with all the “burnt” arguments concerning the contemporary Church, from gay marriages, to war in Gaza, passing through sexual abuse and relationships with China.
Gay weddings
Pope Prevost’s thought leaves few spaces to interpretations. While reaffirming that the Church is open to “all”, “I find highly unlikelycertainly in the near future, that the doctrine of the Church, in terms of what teaches on sexualitywhat the Church teaches on marriage, will change ».
The pontifical blessing to pairs of the same sex therefore remains very far away, “But even just to say it, I understand that some will take him badly», Adds the pontiff.
At the moment Prevost claims to “not have a very precise plan”, remembering, however, what an oriental cardinal said just before becoming Pope: “He told me that ‘The western world is obsessed with sexuality‘, For some people the identity of a person is all a matter of sexual identity, in other parts of the world this is not a primary theme in terms of how we should relate to each other “.
War in Gaza and the use of the term “genocide”
One of the most burning themes, where whatever criticism will be pounded in rivers. On the use of the word “genocide” Pope Leone is cautious: «The word genocide It is used more and more often. Officially, the Holy See does not believe that at the moment it is possible to make any declaration in this regard».
“There is a very technical definition of genocide», Continues the pontiff,”But more and more people raise the matter, including two groups for human rights in Israelit is really horrible to see the images they broadcast on television, we hope that something changes this situation ».
Then the invitation to exercise greater pressure to end the war: «Despite some very clear statements of the United States government, recently of President Trump, There was no clear response in terms of searching for effective ways to relieve population sufferingof the Innocenti di Gaza, and this is obviously a source of great concern », concludes Leone.
Migrants
On the theme of migrants, Pope Leo XIV is particularly worried about the situation in the United States, his country of origin. “One thing that Francesco did towards the end of his pontificate, and which I consider very significant, was the letter he wrote on the issue of the treatment of immigrants,” says the pontiff in the interview book.
The position of the American Pope remains in continuity with that of the predecessor, maintaining a line of reception and protection of human dignity. Leo XIV underlines that “the United States are a worldwide power, we must recognize it, and sometimes decisions are made more on the basis of the economy than human dignity and human support”.
The Pope, however, does not intend to “get involved in partisan politics”, But he reiterates that he is not “fear of raising issues that I believe are true evangelical issues, which I hope can be listened to on both sides”.
Relations with China
As for the relations with Beijing, Pope Leo XIV confirms continuity with the Vatican policy of the last yearsmaintaining the provisional agreement of 2018 on the appointment of the bishops, renewed for another four years in October 2024.
“I would say that in the short term I will continue the policy that the Holy See has followed for a few years nowand which was followed by several predecessors. I do not pretend to be wiser or more expert than all those who preceded me, “says the Pontiff.
Leo XIV recognizes the complexity of the situation: «I am trying to better understand how the Church can continue its mission, respecting both culture and political issues, which obviously have great importance, but but Even respecting a significant group of Chinese Catholics who have lived a sort of oppression or difficulty for many years in living their faith freelywithout taking sides ».
Sexual abuse
Finally the thorny problem related to sexual abuse. The Pope defines the question as “a real crisis” That “The Church must continue to face because it is not resolved».
Leone XIV underlines the need for “an authentic and profound sensitivity and compassion for the pain and suffering that people have undergone at the hands of the ministers of the Church”. The Pope recognizes that Statistics “show that well over 90 percent of the people who come forward and move accusations are authentic victims. They tell the truth. They are not inventing it ».
The Pope is keen to clarify that “Thank God, the vast majority of people who dedicate themselves to the Church, priests, bishops and religious, have never abused anyone», Concluding that” we cannot ensure that the whole Church focuses exclusively on this issue, because it would not be an authentic response to what the world is looking for in terms of the need for the mission of the Church “.
