Pope Leo XIV's first 100 days as pontiff have been marked by a focus on Christ and an emphasis on unity. The article analyzes the words, gestures, and decisions of the first American Pope since his election on May 8. The pontiff is a 69-year-old Chicago native.
21 days ago
Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, has completed his first 100 days, marked by a distinctive leadership style that balances continuity with his predecessor, Pope Francis, with a deliberate approach to unity and international bridge-building 1. His pontificate, which began on May 8, 2025, has revealed a focus on Christ, an emphasis on Church unity, and a notable embrace of his American heritage 1.
Despite initial speculation, Pope Leo XIV has openly embraced his American roots, speaking occasionally in English and connecting with American Catholics through various gestures, such as wearing a White Sox hat or enjoying Chicago pizza 1. This embrace suggests potential for improved financial dynamics between the Vatican and the well-resourced U.S. Church, and could lead to significant papal interventions in American sociopolitical life, particularly concerning artificial intelligence regulation 1.
A key theme of Pope Leo's early papacy is his effort to foster unity within a deeply divided Church 1. He has made symbolic gestures to reconcile various groups, especially more conservative Catholics who felt alienated under Pope Francis 1. These gestures include restoring papal traditions like wearing the red mozzetta and vacationing at Castel Gandolfo, as well as reaching out to figures like Cardinal Raymond Burke and participants in the Chartres pilgrimage 1. His inaugural Mass emphasized the need for "a united Church, a sign of unity and communion" 1.
While adopting a different leadership style, Pope Leo XIV is clearly advancing Pope Francis's priority of "synodality" 1. He has frequently referenced synodality as an "overarching attitude" promoting "authentic participation and communion" within the Church 1. Furthermore, he has authorized new synod study groups on liturgy and episcopal conferences, and the Vatican's synod office has released a guide for the next three years of synodal implementation under his leadership 1.
Pope Leo XIV has demonstrated a careful and deliberate disposition, consciously avoiding the controversies that sometimes characterized his predecessor's early pontificate 1. Unlike Pope Francis's "make a mess" approach, Leo seems content to defer to the papal office rather than seeking to redefine it, indicating a consistent tendency to avoid stirring up public debate 1.
Regarding the "liturgy wars" surrounding the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), Pope Leo XIV appears to be allowing local bishops greater autonomy 1. Instead of aggressively enforcing or reversing Traditionis Custodes, Pope Francis's document restricting the TLM, Leo seems to let diocesan bishops decide its application 1. This approach grants bishops more control, resembling the situation under St. John Paul II, and suggests a potential shift in climate within Rome towards a more open stance on traditional liturgies 1.
Beyond internal Church matters, Pope Leo XIV has quickly adopted a role as an international "bridge-builder" 1. He has engaged in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin 1. He has also actively called for peace in the Gaza conflict 1. Additionally, Leo is positioning the Holy See as a moral authority on artificial intelligence, aiming to inspire an internationally agreed-upon ethical framework for the technology 1. This global engagement is underpinned by his vision of the Holy Spirit's capacity to overcome fear and fragmentation, with the Church serving as a leaven of unity and fraternity 1.
What is the Church's teaching on papal primacy?
The Catholic Church teaches that papal primacy is a divinely instituted office, meaning it was established by Christ himself, and is an essential and irrevocable part of the Church's structure . This primacy is held by the Bishop of Rome, who is considered the successor of Saint Peter , , .
The Church's teaching on papal primacy is rooted in the belief that Christ entrusted Peter with a unique role among the Apostles. Peter was given the mandate to shepherd Christ's flock and was established as a lasting and visible source and foundation of unity for both faith and communion , . This authority, known as the Petrine ministry, is passed on to Peter's successors, the Roman Pontiffs , , .
The First Vatican Council defined that the primacy of the Bishop of Rome was instituted de iure divino (by divine right) . This means it is not merely a matter of historical development or human institution, but rather a fundamental aspect of the Church's constitution , .
The Roman Pontiff, as the successor of Peter, is the visible head of the entire Church and exercises "full, supreme, and universal power" . This power is described as "ordinary and immediate" jurisdiction over all churches, meaning it is inherent in his office and not mediated , , . This universal jurisdiction enables the Pope to serve the unity and harmony of the koinonia (communion) as a whole and in each of its parts .
Key aspects of the Pope's authority include:
While the Pope holds supreme and universal authority, the Church also affirms the ordinary and immediate jurisdiction of every bishop within his particular Church . The exercise of the Bishop of Rome's ministry is intended to affirm, strengthen, and vindicate the authority of individual bishops . The college of bishops, together with the Supreme Pontiff and never apart from him, also has supreme and full authority over the universal Church .
In summary, the Catholic Church teaches that papal primacy is a divinely ordained office, essential for the unity and governance of the Church. The Pope, as the successor of Saint Peter, holds supreme, full, immediate, and universal authority, serving as the visible head, teacher, and foundation of unity for all believers.