HABEMUS PAPAM

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum;
habemus Papam:

Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum Robertum Franciscum
Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost
qui sibi nomen imposuit LEONEM XIV.

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Pope Leo XIV: From Augustinian Friar to Bishop of Rome

Early Life and Ecclesial Career

Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was elected as the 267th Bishop of Rome on May 8, 2025, becoming the first member of the Augustinian order to ascend to the papacyvaticannews.va. Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago to a family of French, Italian, and Spanish heritage, he grew up in a devout Catholic environment and attended St. Mary of the Assumption parish on the city’s South Sidencronline.orgncronline.org. Prevost pursued both secular and sacred education: he earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Villanova University and completed his theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicagovaticannews.va. In 1982 he was ordained a priest in the Order of St. Augustine (O.S.A.) after further studies in Rome, where he also obtained a licentiate and later a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)vaticannews.va. These academic credentials grounded his approach to Church governance in a firm understanding of Catholic canon law and theology.

Prevost spent much of his early ministry as a missionary in Peru, embodying Pope Francis’ ideal of reaching the Church’s peripheries. Assigned to the Augustinian missions in the 1980s, he served for over a decade in the Archdiocese of Trujillo as a seminary professor and a diocesan judicial vicarvaticannews.va. He taught canon law, patristics (the theology of the Church Fathers), and moral theology to future priests, while also ministering in poor urban parishesvaticannews.va. This blend of scholarly and pastoral work gave him insight into practical pastoral care as well as the intellectual tradition of the Church. In 1999, Prevost was elected Prior Provincial of the Augustinians in Chicago, and by 2001 he became the Prior General (worldwide head) of the Augustinian Order, a position he held for two terms until 2013ncronline.org. Leading a global mendicant order took him to nearly 50 countries, honing his leadership skills and global perspective on Church issuesncronline.org.

When his term as Prior General ended, Pope Francis assigned Prevost back to Peru, appointing him in 2014 as Apostolic Administrator (and soon after Bishop) of the Diocese of Chiclayovaticannews.vavaticannews.va. As Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, Prevost gained a reputation as a pastor who was close to the people, while also serving in the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference in roles dealing with culture and educationvaticannews.va. His episcopal motto, “In Illo Uno Unum” (“In the One One,” meaning “in the One Christ we are one”), taken from St. Augustine, reflected his focus on unity in Christvaticannews.va. In January 2023, Pope Francis called him to Rome to serve at the highest levels of Church governance as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, the Vatican office overseeing the selection of bishops worldwidevaticannews.va. Francis raised him to archbishop and, in September 2024, created him a cardinal-deaconvaticannews.va. In this Vatican role, Cardinal Prevost was deeply involved in advising on episcopal appointments and addressing challenges with bishops, gaining a reputation for industriousness and judicious handling of delicate cases (for example, he assisted in the investigation that led to the removal of a U.S. bishop who had been publicly at odds with Pope Francis)ncronline.org. By the time of the conclave in 2025, Prevost’s rare combination of frontline missionary pastoral experience and curial governance expertise made him, in the eyes of many cardinals, uniquely qualified to lead the global Churchncronline.orgncronline.org.

Despite being the first American-born pope, Leo XIV is often described as “the least American American” in demeanortime.com. Having lived only about one-third of his life in the United States, and the rest in Latin America and Rome, he speaks multiple languages fluently (including Spanish, Italian, French, and English) and holds dual U.S. and Peruvian citizenshipncronline.orgtime.com. In his first appearance as pope, he addressed the crowd in Italian and Spanish, pointedly not emphasizing his American originstime.com. This international life trajectory has given him a culturally diverse outlook. It also positions him to understand the Church’s growth areas in the global South while navigating its administrative center in the Vatican.

Theological Leanings and Pastoral Vision

In terms of theology and pastoral approach, Leo XIV is widely seen as a continuator of Pope Francis’ reformist yet orthodox trajectory. As a close collaborator of Francis, he has openly supported the key themes of the previous pontificate: social justice, a listening Church, and pastoral outreach. For example, as a bishop and cardinal, Prevost frequently echoed the Church’s concern for the poor, migrants, and those on the margins. He even highlighted these issues on social media: in one instance, he shared an essay critiquing anti-immigrant rhetoric, implicitly rebuking the tone of U.S. politics toward migrantsncronline.org. In another, he bluntly declared, “It’s time to end the death penalty,” aligning with the modern Catholic stance that capital punishment is inadmissiblencronline.org. Such statements underscore his commitment to the dignity of human life and social teaching, putting him in line with the progressive application of doctrine on issues of justice and peace. Observers note that while he once voted in a Republican primary in Illinois, his public stances place him at odds with many policies of the Trump-era GOP, confirming his reputation as a social justice advocate first and foremostncronline.orgncronline.org.

Doctrine-wise, Pope Leo XIV is not expected to introduce radical changes to core teachings, but his emphasis is on applying perennial doctrine in a pastorally responsive way. He has been described as a man of “steely determination and clarity” who knows where he wants to lead the Churchncronline.orgncronline.org. This clarity is evident in his advocacy of synodality, the process of widespread consultation and shared decision-making in the Church. Cardinal Prevost was a vocal proponent of Pope Francis’ vision of a synodal Church, seeing it as a remedy for polarization within Catholicismncronline.org. “Synodality,” he noted in a 2023 interview, “[is] a means to healing the polarization” afflicting the Churchncronline.org. By inviting diverse voices into dialogue, he believes the Church can reinforce unity without compromising essential truths. His background in canon law reassured more traditional factions that greater consultation would not mean doctrinal chaos; indeed, colleagues have observed that his legal and theological training make him careful and “deliberate” in speech, unlikely to support any change that undermines the Church’s deposit of faithncronline.org. This balanced demeanor suggests that as pope he will uphold traditional doctrine (for instance, on matters like the sanctity of life, the nature of marriage, etc.) while continuing a pastoral tone of aggiornamento (updating) and mercy in how those teachings are applied.

Leo XIV’s leadership pattern has consistently been one of bridge-building between different factions and perspectives in the Church. As head of the Dicastery for Bishops, he not only selected new bishops but also dealt with disciplining those who sow divisionncronline.org. This indicates that he values ecclesial unity and fidelity. One notable case in 2023 was the removal of a U.S. bishop who had been openly defiant of Pope Francis – a decision in which Prevost, by virtue of his office, played a key rolencronline.org. He framed such interventions not as political maneuvers but as necessary for the “unity of the Body of Christ,” echoing the Vatican’s rationale that internal dissent or extreme ideological agendas (whether on the left or right) can harm the communion of the Churchncregister.com. His episcopal motto about unity in Christ is telling here: drawn from St. Augustine’s writings, “that although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one”vaticannews.va, it encapsulates his vision of a Church that is diverse yet stands together in fundamental belief and charity. This Augustinian influence suggests Pope Leo XIV’s theology is deeply rooted in the idea of communio – the Church as a communion of the faithful united in Christ. It also implies a strong emphasis on pastoral care: Augustine’s own model of ministry combined intellectual rigor with loving service to his flock, a balance Prevost has emulated throughout his career.

In his personal spirituality, Leo XIV is shaped by the Augustinian charism, which prizes community life, the search for truth (Veritas), and the love of God and neighbor. Augustinians strive for a balance of “love and learning,” as the order’s ethos goesncronline.org. This heritage is likely to influence Pope Leo XIV’s priorities: expect him to champion education and evangelization (given his years as an educator), the promotion of unity in the Church (reflecting St. Augustine’s teachings on the unity of the Church in the one Christ), and a continued concern for the poor and vulnerable (something both the Augustinian tradition and modern Catholic social teaching stress). Indeed, even before becoming pope, he demonstrated alignment with the Church’s preferential option for the poor – for example, he spent years ministering in impoverished Peruvian communities and supported workers’ rights and social programs in his diocesencronline.orgncronline.org. This track record provides a window into how he might approach papal decisions: with an eye to the Gospel’s call for justice and charity, tempered by a disciplined fidelity to Church teaching and tradition.

Significance of the Name Leo XIV

Upon his election, Cardinal Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV, immediately inviting comparisons to Pope Leo XIII (reigned 1878–1903), since no pope has taken the name Leo in over a century. Vatican observers believe this choice is deliberate and symbolic. Pope Leo XIII is remembered for his groundbreaking encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891), which addressed the rights of workers and the conditions of the poor during the Industrial Revolution, effectively launching modern Catholic social teaching. By taking the name Leo XIV, Prevost appears to align himself with that legacy of robust engagement with social issues. As one commentator noted just before the conclave, the name “Leo” signals an “emphasis on Catholic social teaching and, perhaps specifically the rights of workers and the poor.”ncronline.org. Indeed, Leo XIII was a pope who, while theologically and doctrinally conservative in many respects, showed bold leadership in advocating for social justice and the dignity of labor. Jesuit writer Fr. James Martin speculated that by choosing Leo, Prevost was indicating a commitment to those same priorities in the present dayncronline.org.

Leo XIII’s example offers multiple thematic connections that Pope Leo XIV may be drawing upon. Leo XIII navigated the Church into the modern era after the turmoil of the 19th century, encouraging engagement with new social realities rather than retreat. He was the first pope to fully exercise a purely spiritual authority (having lost the Papal States), focusing on moral leadership in a rapidly changing world. Similarly, Pope Leo XIV inherits a Church facing tumultuous changes – from secularization in the West to growth in the global South, from internal debates on reform to external challenges such as poverty and climate change. By invoking Leo XIII, the new pope aligns himself with a vision of the papacy that addresses contemporary issues with intellectual clarity and pastoral concern. “Leo is a reference to … Leo XIII, who advocated for the rights of workers … as well as the poor and the marginalized,” explained Dr. Brett Hoover, a theologian at Loyola Marymount University, adding that “in many ways, Pope Leo XIII was very conservative, but on social issues, he was very strong”time.com. Leo XIV is likely signaling that social justice will remain a cornerstone of his pontificate, in continuity with Pope Francis’ focus on “a poor Church for the poor.” Notably, Leo XIV used his first papal blessing to praise his predecessor Francis’s dedication to “ministering to the suffering of the world,” and he affirmed he would continue efforts to open up dialogue within the Churchtime.com. This suggests that his choice of name is not only about 19th-century history, but also about continuity with Francis’ agenda of inclusion and mercy, reinforced by the historic weight of Leo XIII’s social magisterium.

There may be additional layers of meaning to Leo XIV. The name “Leo” (Latin for “lion”) calls to mind St. Leo the Great (Leo I, 5th century), a Doctor of the Church known for his theological acumen and his role in preserving Church unity amid upheaval. It also recalls Leo X, a Renaissance pope, though Leo XIV likely intends to invoke the revered Leo XIII more directly. By choosing to be the next “Leo” rather than a name used more recently, Leo XIV appears to be reaching back to a period when the Church first grappled with modernity. Leo XIII wrote on a wide range of issues – from the rosary and the saints to education and the relationship between faith and science – demonstrating an intellectual openness. Cardinal Prevost, who himself once served in academia and is comfortable with modern scholarship, likely appreciates this intellectual lineage. Moreover, Leo XIII promoted Thomistic philosophy (Aeterni Patris, 1879) to engage modern thought with sound doctrine. We might see Leo XIV similarly encourage theological scholarship and clear doctrinal teaching that engages today’s intellectual challenges (such as secularism or bioethics), always with an eye to the Church’s social mission.

Finally, it has been noted that upon appearing on the balcony after his election, Leo XIV donned the traditional red mozzetta (the short cape) trimmed with ermine, a garment which Pope Francis pointedly set aside at the start of his own pontificatetime.com. This subtle nod to papal custom may indicate that Leo XIV, while reform-minded, also intends to show continuity with some traditional symbols and papal decorum. In other words, he may strive to balance the humility and simplicity modeled by Francis with a willingness to embrace certain historic traditions of the papacy. The name Leo, a venerable papal name, reinforces this balance: it is both a tribute to tradition and a platform for carrying that tradition into new contexts. As an American Catholic commenting in Chicago put it, the choice of Leo XIV gives “hope” that the new pope will combine “an exceptional leader” with global experience who nonetheless builds on the reforms of Pope Francisabc7chicago.com. In sum, the papal name sets an expectation that Pope Leo XIV’s reign will highlight social concern, intellectual engagement, and ecclesial continuity, much as Pope Leo XIII’s did over a century ago.

The Latin Mass: Summorum Pontificum vs. Traditionis Custodes

One of the most discussed issues in Church circles leading up to Leo XIV’s election was how the new pope would handle the ongoing debates over the Traditional Latin Mass. In recent years, these debates have been shaped by two contrasting papal decrees: Summorum Pontificum and Traditionis Custodes. To understand Leo XIV’s potential approach, it is important to explain these terms. Summorum Pontificum (Latin for “Of the Supreme Pontiffs”) is an apostolic letter issued motu proprio (on his own initiative) by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, which greatly expanded permission for priests to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass – the form of the Roman Catholic Mass used prior to the liturgical reforms of 1970. Benedict XVI’s decree acknowledged the older 1962 Roman Missal (often called the Tridentine Mass) as a venerable “extraordinary form” of the Roman Rite and stated that it had never been abrogated (never legally revoked)vatican. In practical terms, Summorum Pontificum allowed any Latin-rite Catholic priest to privately celebrate Mass using the 1962 Missal without needing his bishop’s permission, and it encouraged pastors to accommodate stable groups of the faithful who request the old Mass in their parishes. The underlying hope was that this freedom would foster reconciliation with traditionalist Catholics attached to the old liturgy and that the coexistence of old and new forms would enrich the Church’s worship without division. Benedict XVI explicitly insisted that the 1962 and post-1970 Missals were “two usages of the one Roman Rite” and that having both forms would not lead to a division in the Church’s rule of faith (lex credendi) In other words, he believed that the Church could maintain unity of belief while accommodating diversity in ritual practice.

However, in July 2021 Pope Francis issued Traditionis Custodes (Latin for “Guardians of the Tradition”), which significantly reversed or tightened those permissions. Citing feedback from the world’s bishops and concerns that the wider allowances had unfortunately stoked division rather than healed it, Francis declared that the 1970 reformed liturgy (the Mass of Paul VI, normally celebrated in local languages) is now the “unique expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite.”vatican.va This statement effectively means that the Church’s official public worship should be unified around the post-Vatican II liturgy, rather than treating the pre-Vatican II rite as equal or parallel. Under Traditionis Custodes, individual bishops were given back full authority over if and where the old Latin Mass may be used, and new restrictions were imposed: for instance, the old Mass generally should not be celebrated in parish churches, no new personal parishes or groups devoted to it may be established, and priests ordained after July 2021 need explicit Vatican permission to use the 1962 Missalvatican.vavatican.va. Pope Francis justified these measures “in defense of the unity of the Body of Christ,” saying that what was intended as an outreach to traditionalists had been “hijacked” in some places by a movement that rejected the post-Vatican II reformsncregister.comamericamagazine.org. Indeed, Vatican officials observed that some communities exclusively using the older rite came to question the legitimacy of the Second Vatican Council’s changes, or treated the reformed Mass as inferioramericamagazine.orgamericamagazine.org. Such attitudes, in the view of Francis (and those like Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, whom he consulted), were undermining Church unity and authority. Thus, Traditionis Custodes aimed to reassert a single normative Roman Rite, with the bishop as the moderator of any exceptions, to ensure all Catholics celebrate the Eucharist in solidarity with the Council and the Popevatican.vavatican.va.

Given this recent history, the question arose: will Pope Leo XIV continue on Francis’ restrictive path regarding the Traditional Latin Mass, or chart a different course? While the new pope has not yet issued any decree on the matter (being only elected “yesterday,” so to speak), we can make educated projections based on his past approach and statements. All indications suggest that Leo XIV will uphold the essential aim of Traditionis Custodes – namely, unity in worship – while possibly striving for pastoral sensitivity in its implementation. As Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Cardinal Prevost would have been acutely aware of the global bishops’ concerns that led to Traditionis Custodes. In fact, the Vatican’s 2020 survey of bishops about the impact of Summorum Pontificum (conducted by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) was a key factor in Francis’s decisionvatican.va. Prevost’s own role involved addressing situations where certain bishops or groups were out of step with Rome. For example, he dealt with the case of Bishop Joseph Strickland (removed in 2023)ncronline.org, which, while not about the liturgy per se, demonstrated Prevost’s resolve in correcting disunity. This track record implies that Leo XIV is unlikely to simply roll back Francis’ policy and restore unrestricted use of the 1962 Missal across the board. He has shown a strong concern for ecclesial communion and respect for the Pope’s authority – attributes that align with enforcing the idea that the Church should pray as one body. As one report put it succinctly upon his election, “He is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms.”abc7chicago.com.

It is noteworthy that Leo XIV is personally close to Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicagoncronline.org, who has been one of the leading supporters of Traditionis Custodes in the U.S., implementing it in his archdiocese with strict guidelines. This association hints that Leo XIV shares a similar outlook that the pre-Vatican II liturgy must remain subordinate to the unity of the reformed rites. Moreover, Leo XIV’s formative influence, St. Augustine, wrote often about the importance of unity in worship as a sign of the Church’s unity of heart. In line with his Augustinian motto of unity, Leo XIV would likely approach the Traditional Latin Mass question by emphasizing one unified Roman Rite and discouraging any notion that the “old Mass” is holier or more Catholic than the “new Mass” (a claim which, as we saw, has circulated in some traditionalist circlesamericamagazine.org). We can expect him to reinforce Pope Francis’ principle that those who wish to celebrate the older liturgy must also affirm the validity and value of the post-Vatican II liturgy. He may, however, bring a pastoral tone in dealing with those attached to the older forms. As a seasoned pastor, he might encourage bishops to be gentle and accompany faithful who are struggling with these changes, possibly granting dispensations in a way that avoids a harsh, abrupt suppression of beloved devotional practices. His goal would be to integrate devotees of the Latin Mass into the mainstream life of the Church, rather than leave them feeling alienated. In effect, Leo XIV could seek a careful balance: maintaining the clear line that the ordinary form of the Mass (the reformed liturgy) is standard – thus upholding Traditionis Custodesvatican.va – but also ensuring that any permitted celebrations of the extraordinary form are done in a spirit of ecclesial communion, not rebellion.

Another factor in predicting Leo XIV’s stance is his demonstrated commitment to synodality and consultation. He might choose to further consult the world’s bishops or even the faithful on how the implementation of Traditionis Custodes is proceeding, in order to make any necessary fine-tuning. Being a canon lawyer, he could also clarify the legal parameters if confusion remains. It’s conceivable that he would issue guidelines or an explanatory document to ensure both uniform application of the rules and pastoral outreach. Importantly, Leo XIV’s actions will be driven by the theological convictions behind both Summorum Pontificum and Traditionis Custodes: the relationship between the Church’s prayer and her belief, expressed in the Latin maxim lex orandi, lex credendi. This principle – “the law of prayer is the law of belief” – has been at the heart of the debate. Benedict XVI stressed that the old and new forms of the Mass were two expressions of the same faithvatican.va, whereas Francis feared that two forms were in practice fostering two separate mentalities of belief. Leo XIV will be keenly aware that how the Church prays influences what it believes and vice versa. Therefore, we can anticipate that he will approach the liturgy (old and new) with the aim of safeguarding doctrinal unity. If any group’s use of the liturgy (whether a progressive liturgical experiment or a traditional Latin Mass community) were to imply rejection of Catholic doctrine or the authority of the Council, it is likely he would correct it for the sake of the Church’s unity of faith. In summary, Pope Leo XIV is poised to uphold Traditionis Custodes’ emphasis on unity, possibly with a pastorally gentle touch, rather than revert to the more lenient regime of Summorum Pontificum. His overarching priority will be that the Eucharist, which is “the sacrament of unity,” truly unites rather than becomes a point of contention.

Liturgical Vision and Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

Pope Leo XIV’s general views on Catholic liturgy can be inferred from his background and the principle lex orandi, lex credendi (Latin for “the law of prayer [is] the law of belief”). This ancient maxim, originating with the 5th-century theologian Prosper of Aquitaine, expresses the idea that how the Church prays forms and reflects what the Church believesvatican.vaen.wikipedia.org. In Catholic theology, liturgy is not a secondary matter – it is a primary bearer of the faith. Every pope must therefore be a guardian of the liturgy, since changes in liturgical practice can have a profound impact on the transmission of doctrine. Leo XIV, as a canonist and an experienced liturgical celebrant, surely appreciates this dynamic. In fact, the very texts of Summorum Pontificum and Traditionis Custodes we discussed explicitly reference lex orandi, lex credendi. Benedict XVI reassured the Church in 2007 that having two forms of the Roman Rite would not break the unity of belief, precisely because both forms carried the same faithvatican.va. In contrast, Francis in 2021 underlined that a single current form of the Roman Rite should be the unique reference point for our common lex orandi, implying that divergent liturgical practices were leading to divergent beliefs about the Council and the Magisteriumvatican.va. Now Pope Leo XIV inherits the task of articulating a liturgical vision that maintains the integrity of lex credendi (the rule of faith) through a unified lex orandi.

From what we know of Leo XIV, his liturgical outlook is one of reverent fidelity coupled with openness to legitimate development. Having spent formative years in the post-Vatican II era, he is accustomed to celebrating the Mass in vernacular languages and with the reforms that emphasize active participation of the laity (a key principle of the Second Vatican Council’s Sacrosanctum Concilium). There is no indication that he has ever been opposed to those reforms; on the contrary, as a bishop in Peru he promoted liturgies that were inculturated and accessible to the local faithful. He understands that the unity of the Church does not mean uniformity in aesthetic or culture – for example, he would be supportive of liturgical music and expressions that resonate in different cultures, as long as they are in keeping with the sacredness of the Mass. At the same time, his respect for tradition means he is not likely to endorse very avant-garde liturgical experiments that lack grounding in Church norms. Moderation and tradition-within-reform seem to characterize his approach.

An illustrative anecdote is the attire choice noted earlier: Leo XIV wore the traditional papal mozzetta on the night of his electiontime.com. This could be read as a sign that he values continuity in liturgical symbols. It suggests that he may bring back or retain some traditional touches (whether vestments, devotions, or rituals) that highlight the papacy’s link with its heritage, as long as they do not impede the Gospel message. In principle, such externals of liturgy can coexist with the inner spirit of renewal. Indeed, one might recall that Pope Benedict XVI, in speaking of liturgy, advocated a “hermeneutic of continuity” – meaning that the reformed and the traditional aspects of Catholic worship should be seen in continuity, not opposition. Leo XIV is likely to share that hermeneutic. His challenge will be implementing it in a way that heals rifts.

In practice, how might lex orandi, lex credendi guide Leo XIV’s decisions? For one, he will pay close attention to the texts of the liturgy – the prayers and readings used at Mass. Any future translations or revisions (for example, of the Liturgy of the Hours or the Rite of Baptism) will need to faithfully transmit Catholic doctrine. His scholarly bent means he might encourage good liturgical catechesis: helping Catholics better understand what the Mass and sacraments truly signify, so that the way we pray and what we believe are in harmony. He might also emphasize the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life, echoing Church teaching, and thereby urge against using the Mass as a tool for ideological statements. Expect him to speak about the Eucharistic celebration in terms of sacredness, unity, and charity. Given the Church is currently engaged in a multi-year Eucharistic Revival (particularly in places like the United States), Leo XIV will likely support any initiative that deepens Eucharistic amazement and orthodoxy – for instance, encouraging practices like Eucharistic adoration, processions, and sound preaching on the Real Presence, all of which strengthen the lex credendi about the Blessed Sacrament.

It’s also worth noting Leo XIV’s view on the principle of active participation (actuosa participatio). This concept from Vatican II teaches that all the faithful should take part in the liturgy “fully, consciously, and actively” – not necessarily by doing many actions, but by uniting themselves interiorly to the prayers and rites. As someone who has worked across cultures, Leo XIV likely sees education and formation as key to achieving true active participation. He might emphasize teaching the faithful to understand the Mass (perhaps promoting mystagogical catechesis, which explains the spiritual meaning behind liturgical actions). He might also be sensitive to the devotional life of ordinary Catholics: processions, rosaries, novenas, and popular devotions can enrich the Church’s prayer life, so long as they lead into and flow out of the Eucharist. As pope, he could highlight the connection between lex orandi in personal prayer and lex credendi in doctrine by approving new prayers or devotions that reflect contemporary needs (for example, prayers for creation care, given the climate crisis, firmly grounded in Church teaching on stewardship of God’s creation).

In terms of governance, lex orandi, lex credendi means Pope Leo XIV will be attentive to any liturgical practices that could distort the faith. For instance, if in some places theological errors creep into the liturgy (whether an abuse of the ritual or a misguided initiative), we can expect him to correct them through the Vatican’s liturgy office. Conversely, he may encourage bishops to allow diversity in non-essential matters if it helps people pray better, as long as unity isn’t threatened. This might include things like approving the celebration of certain saints important to local cultures, or allowing translations of liturgical texts that are more understandable, etc., always with the Holy See’s oversight.

In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV’s academic background and pastoral experience equip him with a solid understanding of lex orandi, lex credendi – he knows that the Church’s worship and doctrine are two sides of the same coin. His approach to worship will likely be characterized by a profound reverence for the sacred liturgy as handed down by the Second Vatican Council, an appreciation for the riches of older traditions interpreted in the light of today, and a pastoral desire to make the liturgy a source of unity and strength for Catholic belief. As he begins his papacy, Catholics around the world will be watching how Pope Leo XIV celebrates and regulates the liturgy. In his choices – whether continuing Francis’ path on the Latin Mass, the style of papal ceremonies, or the encouragement of certain devotions – we will see reflected his guiding conviction that in the Church, how we pray is inseparably linked to what we believe, and that both prayer and belief must ultimately direct us toward how we live (lex vivendi). In the spirit of his namesake Leo XIII and his mentor Pope Francis, Leo XIV seems poised to harness the power of the Church’s prayer life to bolster its witness of faith in the world, ensuring that the law of prayer remains the law of belief for generations to comevatican.va.

Sources:

1. Vatican News – Biography of Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost)vaticannews.vavaticannews.vavaticannews.vavaticannews.va

2. National Catholic Reporter – The pope from Chicago backed Pope Francis’ major church reformsncronline.orgncronline.orgncronline.org

3. TIME Magazine – Pope Leo XIV Steps Onto the World Stagetime.comtime.comtime.com

4. National Catholic Reporter – Social media posts by Prevostncronline.orgncronline.orgncronline.org

5. Apostolic Letter “Summorum Pontificum” (Pope Benedict XVI, 2007)vatican.vavatican.va

6. Apostolic Letter “Traditionis Custodes” (Pope Francis, 2021)vatican.vavatican.va

7. America Magazine – Vatican Archbishop Di Noia on Latin Mass restrictionsamericamagazine.orgamericamagazine.org

8. ABC7 Chicago – Chicago-born Cardinal Prevost elected Pope Leo XIVabc7chicago.com and National Catholic Reporterncronline.org.