An informed commentary on the new Pope

𝑨𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝑷𝒐𝒑𝒆

From Robert A G Gagnon

The RCC has a new pope, the first born in America and even North America: Leo XIV. He appears to be almost a Francis clone, located theologically and politically close to where Francis was, sadly; though perhaps slightly less favorable to currying LGBTQ support. He is being touted as a "centrist," which generally means left-tilting.

His selection might be a rebuke to Trump's immigration and environmental policies, hopefully not his transgender policies. Three months ago he tweeted: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," i.e., love for fellow citizens over illegal immigrants. He also reposted two articles critical of Vance's position. His most recent post on X was a repost of a comment criticizing Trump for sending Garcia back to El Salvador, saying nothing about Garcia's likely MS-13 affiliation. James Martin, an influential Jesuit priest who is a big "LGBTQ" supporter, calls him "a brilliant choice."

Robert Prevost (69), born in Chicago in 1955, became connected with the country of Peru around age 30, but not a naturalized citizen of Peru till 2015. He served in Peru for 22 years, first as a priest and missionary, later as a bishop and elected head of the Augustinians there for two consecutive terms.

Francis since 2014 elevated him rapidly through the ranks, which is some cause for concern. Francis made him a cardinal in 2023, as well as head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful position overseeing the selection of new bishops worldwide.

The National Catholic Reporter states:

//He is closely aligned with Pope Francis’ vision regarding the late pope’s pastoral priorities, especially regarding environmentalism, outreach to the poor and migrants, and a pastoral approach that emphasizes meeting people where they are.... He showed mild support for the Vatican’s 2023 document Fiducia Supplicans.//

The last point is alarming. Fiducia Supplicans requires RCC priests to give “non-ritualized blessings” to “couples of the same sex," without (allegedly, but absurdly) blessing the homosexual sex that makes two persons of the same sex a "couple." Support for this policy means that one is either practicing deception (supporting the homosexual sex while pretending not to give support) or is incredibly self-deceived.

However, there is this from the Catholic College of Cardinals website: "Prevost appears somewhat less favorable to currying favor with the LGBTQ lobby than Francis, but he showed mild support for Fiducia Supplicans." The same site reports:

//Although he expressed reservations about “sympathy for beliefs and practices that contradict the gospel,” Cardinal Prevost showed less clarity about Fiducia supplicans, stressing the need for national bishops’ conferences to have doctrinal authority to interpret and apply such directives in their local contexts, given cultural differences. He therefore did not fully endorse nor reject the document.//

The LGBTQ publication "The Advocate" states:

//In 2012, at a meeting of bishops, “he lamented that Western news media and popular culture fostered ‘sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel,’” The New York Times reports. He specifically mentioned the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.” As bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, he objected to a plan to teach about gender in schools, saying, “The promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist.”

However, “he has voiced compassion for the LGBTQ community,” according to the Meidas Touch Network. But “while he may foster a more welcoming environment, he has not signaled any openness to changing Church teaching on same-sex marriage or the ordination of women,” Meidas Touch reports.//

He opposes ordaining female deacons.

The Associated Press reports:

//On social issues, he is viewed as progressive, particularly in his embrace of marginalized groups. This approach mirrors Pope Francis, who has championed migrants and the poor throughout his papacy. However, Prevost maintains conservative positions on certain matters of church doctrine. Like Francis, the Illinois native opposes the ordination of women as deacons. This balance of progressive social outreach while upholding traditional church teachings positions Prevost as a potential bridge-builder. His candidacy represents the possibility of continuing Francis's pastoral approach whilst maintaining doctrinal continuity.//