Pope Leo

[+ FrankR]

New pope elected. This time an American born candidate.  I am a little disappointed he didnt choose a more impactful name (Innocent maybe??)

 

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-pope-conclave-day-two-05-08-25

[BSR]

Wow, that was quick!  I heard that the selection process was expected to be brief, but this fast??  I was rooting for Filipino Cardinal Tagle for obvious reasons.  Oh well, given that I haven’t attended mass regularly for ~20 years, I can’t say I had much invested in Francis’s successor.  It’s just that it would have meant the world to the 90 million Catholics of my birth country.

[+ Lucky]

He's anti-gay.

It is unclear whether he will be as open to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics as Francis was. Although he has not said much recently, in a 2012 address to bishops, he lamented that Western news media and popular culture fostered “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.” He cited the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.”

He, like many other cardinals, has drawn criticism over his dealings with priests accused of sexual abuse. nytimes.com

[+ José Soplanucas]

3 hours ago, Lucky said:

He's anti-gay.

It is unclear whether he will be as open to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics as Francis was. Although he has not said much recently, in a 2012 address to bishops, he lamented that Western news media and popular culture fostered “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.” He cited the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.”

He, like many other cardinals, has drawn criticism over his dealings with priests accused of sexual abuse. nytimes.com

2012 is a long time. People (d)evolve. Even priests.

It is too soon to tell, but I think it is good news. We should not expect the CC to become pro gay and pro women, but it looks like this guy may be more moderate than Francis, but singing the same tune. We may see the continuation of the tendency towards a more open and inclusive church. Plus, I am not a one issue guy. His history and his first words seem to be aligned with a socially committed church. 

I think I was right. Francis was politically skilled enough to build support to his policies within the cardinals. 

[mike carey]

9 minutes ago, José Soplanucas said:

His history and his first words seem to be aligned with a socially committed church.

His choice to be called Leo XIV has prompted that view of his intent, as it evokes Rerum Novarum, the noted encyclical of Leo XIII.

[Luv2play]

3 minutes ago, mike carey said:

His choice to be called Leo XIV has prompted that view of his intent, as it evokes Rerum Novarum, the noted encyclical of Leo XIII.

I turned to Wikipedia to read about Pope Leo XIII and learned he was a remarkable pope at the closing decades of the 19th century.  He did a lot to modernize the CC as Europe was being transformed by social and political upheaval. 
Today we have similar upheavals so the choice of the name Leo by Robert Prévost may signal he also intends to play an active role in heading the Catholic Church. We shall see. 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

5 hours ago, Lucky said:

He's anti-gay.

It is unclear whether he will be as open to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics as Francis was. Although he has not said much recently, in a 2012 address to bishops, he lamented that Western news media and popular culture fostered “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.” He cited the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.”

He, like many other cardinals, has drawn criticism over his dealings with priests accused of sexual abuse. nytimes.com

 

1 hour ago, José Soplanucas said:

2012 is a long time. People (d)evolve. Even priests.

It is too soon to tell, but I think it is good news. We should not expect the CC to become pro gay and pro women, but it looks like this guy may be more moderate than Francis, but singing the same tune. We may see the continuation of the tendency towards a more open and inclusive church. Plus, I am not a one issue guy. His history and his first words seem to be aligned with a socially committed church. 

I think I was right. Francis was politically skilled enough to build support to his policies within the cardinals. 

The older I get, the more I find to agree with the Catholic Church.  When I visit the Vatican in 2 weeks, I'll be sure to bring my Red White and Blue Bible for Leo XIV to autograph!

[+ MysticMenace]

A karaoke-singing pope would have been cool, lol. Do conclaves show the voting results - I wonder how close the voting was.

[pubic_assistance]

7 hours ago, Lucky said:

He, like many other cardinals, has drawn criticism over his dealings with priests accused of sexual abuse. nytimes.com

From what I've read, he was Dealing with it by NOT dealing with it. The Church of Rome has already spent more than $5 Billion paying off families of the victims of child abuse by Priests who were simply moved from parish to parish when accused of sexual misconduct.

[jeezifonly]

Efficient use of The Board’s time is duly noted.

There is always a honeymoon period for a new CEO, but with the org’s income down, and the brand taking biggest financial me-too impact, market-wide, over decades, plus consumer interest in the product at an all-time low, any rebound from the summer’s New Face Roll-out will mean more than ever. 

Go Bears. And also with you.

[Km411]

I see him as a compromise—clinging to doctrine while maintaining the pastoral and social justice tone set by Francis. Great things could come from this, of course, but I think he was a safe pick.

[+ Charlie]

The only pope in history who went to one of the same schools that I went to (but we were not classmates).

Edited May 9 by Charlie

[CuriousByNature]

I'm not Roman Catholic, but I'm a bit disappointed.  Yes, his opinions on social issues may have changed over the past 10 years, and perhaps he is now less set in his views about other sexualities and genders.  But what set Francis apart was his humility and his willingness to forego the trappings of power so that he could serve like a servant.  That was as close to an imitation of Christ as I've ever seen in a senior church leader of any denomination, but when I saw Leo step out on the balcony in all the traditional vestments that Francis eschewed, my heart sank a little.  I don't want to prejudge, but I'm concerned his election represents a compromise rather than a continuation of increasing openness and concern for the most vulnerable amongst us. 

Edited May 9 by CuriousByNature

[Km411]

As a Catholic, I spent a solid decade of my adult life fully immersed in the religion, utilizing its prayer traditions and sacraments as exercises to achieve personal spiritual growth (which to me is the whole point). I could have picked any religion for this (Christian and non-Christian), but having been raised in the faith, it was the most familiar path; I didn’t have to break through cultural barriers, learn new vocabularies, faith traditions, etc. I was fortunate to find spiritual directors within the church to guide me (there aren’t many and they’re hard to find). It was a fruitful journey.

What I learned (for me) was that, beyond providing individual pastoral care and spiritual direction, the institution of the church is largely unimportant if the goal is personal spiritual growth and maturity. I believe Francis fully understood this. Since I’ve never looked to the church (or any religion) for approval, acceptance, or belonging, I don’t care what the pope has to say about social issues (except insofar as it enlightens society); that’s all power and politics. But I’m hoping the pope continues Francis’s emphasis on pastoral care, because in my view that is the only mission this or any religion should be focused on. Everything else is temporal.

I hope I’m right about this (and that this post doesn’t violate forum rules); otherwise, its eternal damnation for me 😆 

[CuriousByNature]

1 hour ago, Km411 said:

As a Catholic, I spent a solid decade of my adult life fully immersed in the religion, utilizing its prayer traditions and sacraments as exercises to achieve personal spiritual growth (which to me is the whole point). I could have picked any religion for this (Christian and non-Christian), but having been raised in the faith, it was the most familiar path; I didn’t have to break through cultural barriers, learn new vocabularies, faith traditions, etc. I was fortunate to find spiritual directors within the church to guide me (there aren’t many and they’re hard to find). It was a fruitful journey.

What I learned (for me) was that, beyond providing individual pastoral care and spiritual direction, the institution of the church is largely unimportant if the goal is personal spiritual growth and maturity. I believe Francis fully understood this. Since I’ve never looked to the church (or any religion) for approval, acceptance, or belonging, I don’t care what the pope has to say about social issues (except insofar as it enlightens society); that’s all power and politics. But I’m hoping the pope continues Francis’s emphasis on pastoral care, because in my view that is the only mission this or any religion should be focused on. Everything else is temporal.

I hope I’m right about this (and that this post doesn’t violate forum rules); otherwise, its eternal damnation for me 😆 

I think the pastoral component is probably the most important.  Ultimately the 'church' is the people.  Not the building and not the institution.  I agree that Francis understood the foundational purpose of his role. I hope the new pope will have a similar approach.

 

[samhexum]

Astoria bakery debuts Pope Leo Cookie to celebrate first American pope - Astoria Post

ASTORIAPOST.COM

---

May 9, 2025 By Shane O'Brien An Astoria pastry shop has introduced a "Pope Leo Cookie", complete with a...

THOSE ARE SOME FANCY COMMUNION WAFERS!

Edited May 9 by samhexum
to spread the gospel

[BSR]

22 hours ago, José Soplanucas said:

2012 is a long time. People (d)evolve. Even priests.

It is too soon to tell, but I think it is good news. We should not expect the CC to become pro gay and pro women, but it looks like this guy may be more moderate than Francis, but singing the same tune. We may see the continuation of the tendency towards a more open and inclusive church. Plus, I am not a one issue guy. His history and his first words seem to be aligned with a socially committed church. 

I think I was right. Francis was politically skilled enough to build support to his policies within the cardinals. 

I’m hearing conflicting reports, some saying that Pope Leo will be almost as progressive as Francis, others that the traditionalists, although a minority, have far more sway with the new Pope than they ever had with the previous one.

Just as we had to wait & see who would be elected, I think the same holds true for Pope Leo’s political leanings.  Once again, we’ll know when we know.

[liubit]

On 5/9/2025 at 10:12 AM, MysticMenace said:

Do conclaves show the voting results - I wonder how close the voting was.

Electors are sworn to secrecy and the ballots are incinerated -allegedly to produce the famous fumata, the smoke that comes out of the Sistine Chapel chimney-, so I’m afraid we will never know, @MysticMenace

[+ José Soplanucas]

8 hours ago, liubit said:

Electors are sworn to secrecy and the ballots are incinerated -allegedly to produce the famous fumata, the smoke that comes out of the Sistine Chapel chimney-, so I’m afraid we will never know, @MysticMenace

Vero, ma i pettegolezzi trapelano sempre.

I read in the Argentinean newspapers that Prevost was very popular since the first round of votes, and won the last one with 89. The gossip speaks of a very smooth process. 

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

Apparently, Leo XIV is not only the first American Pope, but also the first Black Pope:

Pope Leo XIV's family tree shows Black roots in New Orleans

ABC7CHICAGO.COM

---

The first American pope's grandparents identified as Black, records show.

White smoke, Black pope? Genealogist says Leo XIV has Louisiana African roots

WWW.NCRONLINE.ORG

---

Louisiana Creole expert Jari Honora shared his genealogical research on 69-year-old Chicago native Robert Prevost shortly after white smoke rose in St...

Quite an interesting background... to say the least.

BTC
🤡

[Cooper]

Administrator’s Message:

Gentlemen, The last thing the moderators want to do is to lock this thread. We have a Guideline on: no religion or politics. Try not to make this a discussion on Church teachings or politics of the new Pope. 🙏 

[dutchal]

On 5/8/2025 at 10:12 PM, MysticMenace said:

A karaoke-singing pope would have been cool, lol. Do conclaves show the voting results - I wonder how close the voting was.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/world/europe/conclave-vote-pope-leo-robert-prevost.html

The NY Times got enough bits and pieces from enough of the cardinals so they were able to put together a rough picture of how it happened.  In the final vote, Prevost got over 100.

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

1 hour ago, dutchal said:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/world/europe/conclave-vote-pope-leo-robert-prevost.html

The NY Times got enough bits and pieces from enough of the cardinals so they were able to put together a rough picture of how it happened.  In the final vote, Prevost got over 100.

There is a firewall. This article can't be read without a NY Times subscription.
Can you do a copy and paste? 

BTC
🤡

[Luv2play]

I read somewhere that a Cardinal who was voting revealed to an associate that Leo got over 100 votes. An indiscretion and hearsay to be sure but take it for what it’s worth. 

[KrisParr]

He’s a Chicago White Sox fan.

Of course … no group of Cardinals (!) would ever elect a Cubs fan. ⚾️