It would seem to be an election in continuity with the pontificate of Pope Francis. Robert Francis Prevost, as soon as he became Pontiff with the name of Leone XIV, mentioned and thanked the predecessor several times during the speech pronounced by the balcony of San Pietro. Not only that. He was created cardinal by Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 2023. And he was considered very close to him on various themes: from the reception of migrants to synodality. Everything in itself would therefore suggest that Prevost is a progressive in clear continuity with the previous Pope.
Nonetheless, you have to be careful. That the new pontiff, at least on paper, cannot be ascribed to the “conservative” front is a fact. That said, the way in which he presented himself in the world from the balcony of San Pietro has marked a certain discontinuity compared to Francesco. Not only was the tone of the speech much less colloquial than that pronounced by the predecessor in 2013, but, appearing on the balcony, had the same stole that was worn by John Paul II and by Benedict XVI at the time of their election. While quoting Francesco several times, Prevost has therefore wanted to recall even the two popes previous to him: a way, probably, to begin to remedy those divisions that have internally marked the Church in the last twelve years.
Even in the choice of the pontifical name, the new Pope actually broke with Bergoglio who, opting for “Francesco”, had assumed a name that did not fall within the tradition of the papacy. “Leone” is, on the contrary, an ancient name. Probably, Prevost was redone in Leo XIII: a Pope who showed interest and admiration for the United States. But we cannot even neglect Leone IX, who, in the 11th century, contributed to reforming the Church against simony and ecclesiastical concubinated. And what about Leone the Great, who, according to tradition, prevented the looting of Rome by Attila?
Another aspect to consider is that Prevost is the first US Pope in history. In electing it, the cardinals probably wanted to keep two trends together. On the one hand, the will to look with particular interest in the global South was confirmed: Prevost was in fact also apostolic administrator in Peru and, not surprisingly, he spoke in Spanish in the final part of his speech from the balcony. On the other hand, by electing a North American, the purple have evidently wanted to disavow the fundamentally anti -western (and above all anti -unitstence) line that characterized the Papacy of Bergoglio.
Of course, it is true that the new pope, as a cardinal, has had the opportunity to argue with the Trump administration in migratory matters. However, it is also true that usually, in conclave, US purple do not divide between “conservatives” and “progressive” but tend to act as national blocking more. This could help explain the election, largely unexpectedly, of Prevost and, at the same time, the lack of ascent of Pietro Parolin at the papal throne.
Clearly only time will tell us if Leone XIV will take on discontinuity choices with respect to the predecessor in foreign policy. In this respect, it will be necessary to monitor above all how it will move with respect to the controversial agreement Sino-Vaticano on the appointment of the bishops. However, it is clear that his election already has the relentless third -party of his Jesuit predecessor. On the other hand, Prevost is an Augustinian. And he explicitly mentioned Sant’Agostino in his speech, saying: “I am a son of Sant’Agostino. I am a Christian with you and for you I am a bishop”. Maybe it will be a coincidence. But a recent Pope was particularly devoted, as well as a scholar, of Sant’Agostino: Joseph Ratzinger. The continuity of prevost with Bergoglio is: it is useless to deny it. But it is not said that discontinuity cannot in the end prove to be far greater than it seems at first sight. Things, in the Church, could change compared to the last twelve years.
