One year after his election on May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost) has emerged as a significant counterweight to US President Donald Trump, but his intended direction for the Catholic Church remains unclear. Unlike his predecessor Francis, Leo wears traditional vestments, resides in the Apostolic Palace, and retreats to Castel Gandolfo.
Theologically, no encyclical or major doctrinal document has been issued. Augsburg church historian Jörg Ernesti notes that Leo is deliberately keeping his cards close to his chest. His first words were "Peace be with you all!" – a theme he has emphasized repeatedly, calling for "unarmed and disarming, humble and persistent peace."
The US regime's militarized foreign policy – including intervention in Venezuela, threats against Cuba and Greenland, and the war with Iran – has given the peace theme particular weight. During the Iran war, Trump threatened to destroy Iran, writing: "A whole civilization will die tonight." The pope rejected this as "truly unacceptable" and warned against "fantasies of omnipotence." Trump retaliated by calling the pope "politically very left" and "terrible."
Ernesti calls Trump's attack unprecedented: "No one has ever spoken so disparagingly about a pope – not Hitler, not Mussolini, not Napoleon." Leo responded calmly, pointing to his office's responsibilities, and later told journalists he was "not afraid" of Trump. A quieter but potentially more significant dispute arose with Vice President JD Vance, who urged the pope to "be careful" with theology and suggested the Vatican stick to morality.
Unlike Francis, Leo has not criticized Europe; he receives European representatives warmly and plans a six-day visit to Spain in June. However, his focus is clearly on Africa: in April 2026, he spent 11 days in four African countries, exceeding Benedict XVI's total time on the continent. Africa's Catholic Church is growing 3% annually, while Europe stagnates.
Ernesti sees Leo's "very deliberate decision" to prioritize Africa as part of a broader shift in the Church's center of gravity. Leo also shows esteem for Asia and Latin America. After the clash with Trump, many observers expect Leo will not visit the US while Trump is in office. On July 4, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the pope will be on Lampedusa, a symbol of refugee suffering. His Spain itinerary includes the Canary Islands, where migrants from Africa arrive.
Source: www.dw.com