Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has indicated a papacy that both respects and continues the legacy of Pope Francis while bringing his own measured and pastoral style of leadership. As the first American-born and the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine, Leo XIV brings a distinctive combination of tradition, social activism, and global perspective to the position.

Continuity with Pope Francis

Pope Leo XIV, in his first address and audiences with cardinals, stressed the necessity of continuing Pope Francis’ “precious legacy,” particularly the reforms initiated by the Second Vatican Council.  He reaffirmed commitments to inclusivity, social justice, and outreach to marginalized communities. His choice of papal name honors Pope Leo XIII, known for his advocacy of workers’ rights in the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, indicating a continued focus on social issues.

Missionary Roots in Peru: A Pastoral Compass

Pope Leo XIV’s years as a missionary and bishop in Peru—especially in the impoverished and often overlooked regions of northern Peru—have profoundly shaped his pastoral vision and leadership style. Appointed Bishop of Chiclayo in 2014 after serving as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chulucanas, he ministered in areas marked by economic hardship, ecological vulnerability, and cultural marginalization. These were communities where access to basic services was limited, where indigenous and Afro-Peruvian populations had long been neglected by both civil and ecclesial institutions, and where informal labor and land insecurity were daily realities.

Fluent in Spanish and well-versed in Latin American pastoral theology, then-Bishop Prevost became known for his tireless presence on the ground—visiting remote parishes, accompanying victims of violence and displacement, and advocating for indigenous land rights. He worked closely with peasant communities facing threats from mining operations and environmental degradation, taking public stands that drew admiration from local clergy and laity alike. He also strengthened catechetical formation and vocational outreach in rural parishes, seeking to raise up local leadership rooted in the people’s lived faith and cultural context.

This immersion in Peru’s spiritual and social landscape shaped his conviction that the Church must be not only a teacher, but a companion. It also deepened his alignment with Pope Francis’s vision of a “Church that goes forth”—a Church that does not wait in safety but enters the peripheries to walk with those most wounded by indifference and injustice. These years gave Leo XIV not only credibility among the marginalized but also a leadership style marked by humility, proximity, and attentiveness to the poor.

In essence, his missionary legacy will likely anchor his papacy in lived faith and humble service, suggesting a papacy that may not radically break new ground, but will profoundly deepen the Church’s commitment to the peripheries—both geographical and existential.

Focus on Synodality and Dialogue

Pope Leo XIV is a strong advocate of synodality—a concept that calls the Church not merely to consult but to journey together. Deeply influenced by the Second Vatican Council and inspired by Pope Francis’s ecclesial vision, he views synodality as the most authentic expression of a living, breathing Church. For him, it is not a procedural innovation but a return to early Christian traditions of community discernment, where bishops, clergy, religious, and laity all have a voice.

In his early addresses, he has emphasized that synodality is not about erasing differences but about transforming disagreement into dialogue. Amid increasing polarization within the Church—on issues ranging from liturgy to sexual ethics—Leo XIV sees shared discernment as the path forward.  He has called for local churches to deepen their practice of listening, not only to one another but to the Holy Spirit at work through diverse experiences and perspectives.

Framing Modern Challenges 

Pope Leo XIV has already positioned himself as a thoughtful moral voice in the face of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing historical parallels, he likens today’s digital revolution to the upheavals of the Industrial Age—both bearing the potential for progress or dehumanization, depending on how they are shaped by moral principles. 

Rather than resisting technology outright, he urges the Church and the world to ask deeper ethical questions: What is the human person? What is community in the digital age? How do we safeguard dignity in a world of automation and surveillance? In calling for international regulation, Pope Leo XIV seeks not only policy safeguards but a cultural and spiritual awakening to the implications of AI, biotechnology, and algorithmic power.

Social and Environmental Advocacy

Continuing the Church’s longstanding commitment to the poor and the planet, Pope Leo XIV speaks with urgency about social and environmental injustices. His missionary background lends weight to his critiques of harsh immigration policies, which he views not simply as legal issues but  as moral failures that betray the dignity of displaced families and vulnerable communities.

On the environment, Leo XIV has taken up the mantle of Laudato Si, reinforcing the Church’s call to ecological conversion. He frames climate change not as a political dispute but as a crisis that tests our capacity for solidarity, restraint, and intergenerational responsibility. He consistently calls for humility—not only among Church leaders but also in how humanity treats the Earth, our “common home.”

Handling of Controversial Issues

In doctrinally sensitive areas, Pope Leo XIV demonstrates a balance of fidelity and pastoral openness. On LGBTQ+ issues, he maintains the Church’s traditional teachings while showing a clear desire to accompany rather than condemn. He avoids sharp declarations, instead choosing language that invites continued dialogue and avoids alienation. His approach reflects his broader belief that the Church must be a home for all, especially those who feel distant from its moral or institutional expressions.

On the question of women’s roles in the Church, Leo XIV remains opposed to ordination but affirms the indispensable contributions of women to Church life. He has followed Francis’s example by appointing women to high-ranking advisory and administrative positions as the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, signaling a willingness to expand their influence even within the boundaries of current doctrine. His stance reflects a careful balancing act: affirming tradition while seeking greater justice and visibility for women in the Church’s governance and mission.

A Leadership Style Marked by Listening and Steady Reform

Pope Leo XIV’s leadership style, shaped by his years as Prior General of the Augustinian Order (2001–2013), is defined by quiet discipline, collaborative governance, and a deep commitment to spiritual integrity. During his tenure, he faced challenges such as declining vocations and growing regional disparities within the Order, responding not with rigid centralization but with careful dialogue and a pastoral approach. He encouraged younger members, elevated voices from the Global South, and avoided factionalism—building a reputation as a leader who listens first and acts with discernment.

This same spirit of collegiality and humility will mark his papacy. Characterized as serene, unflashy, and deeply pastoral, Leo XIV favors a leadership model rooted in accompaniment rather than authority. He is expected to continue Francis’s preference for synodality—consultative, community-based decision-making—while reinforcing the spiritual and missionary identity of the Church. His style is less about headline-grabbing declarations and more about healing divisions, deepening reform, and ensuring the Church remains close to the people it serves.

In short, Pope Leo XIV’s papacy will be ready to carry on Pope Francis’s progressive path, focusing especially on inclusivity, social justice, and confronting contemporary issues, all with a humble and  pastoral leadership style.

The header image of Pope Leo XIV (photo: Andrew Midichini, The Associated Press)

About the author

RAUL F. BORJAL, “Rolly” to his family and friends, was born in Naga City, Camarines Sur and now lives in Paranaque City, Metro Manila. He is an alumnus of Ateneo de Naga University and Ateneo de Manila University. He held senior executive positions in various domestic and multinational corporations before retiring as vice president and corporate secretary of a Filipino-owned group of companies. He is married to the former Wenifreda D. Parma, a cum laude alumna of AdeNU, with whom he has four children. Rolly is a co-founder and member of the editorial board of DATELINE IBALON.