Choice of ‘Leo’ as new pope’s name is likely no surprise for some

by Catherine M. Odell, 11 May 2025
Pope Leo XIV. Image credit: Vatican Media

 

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, 69, a native of Chicago, spent many years as a missionary priest — and later as a bishop in Peru. He taught in the seminary of Trujillo in northwestern Peru for 10 years. In those years and later, he undoubtedly saw the continuing need for a church that would reach out through social justice and charity to the world — as did his predecessor Pope Francis.

Cardinal Prevost certainly knew that the 19th-century Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) would be an outstanding model for that kind of needed global outreach. In Rerum Novarum, Leo XIII’s remarkably progressive encyclical, church thinking about the rights of workers was presented in a totally new and modern way.

In 1891, Leo championed revolutionary concepts — fair wages, safe working conditions and the legitimacy of trade unions. But his long papacy was also marked by a diplomatic outreach to nations around the world. He wanted the church to be truly engaged with the world and truly ministering to it in every way possible.

The new Leo may have also had in mind the first pope by that name — St. Leo the Great (circa 400-461).  This Leo served as pope from 440-461 and has also been remembered for his strong leadership, his outreach to the world and for his exceptional peacemaking efforts. Pope Leo I was also a prolific writer and theologian whose sermons are still quoted and studied today — more than 1,500 years later.

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With thanks to the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) and Catherine M. Odell, where this article originally appeared.

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