Ever wondered why Pope Leo XIV was chosen to lead the Catholic Church? Or what forces are shaping the Church’s journey today? What’s the significance of having the first American Augustinian pope at the helm – and what might his election mean for the future of Catholicism?
There’s something about Pope Leo that just feels different – fresh even – like he was made to lead the Church in today’s world. Whether he’s sporting a Chicago White Sox cap or accepting a “Da Pope” Chicago Bears shirt from a family at the Vatican, he’s become widely known as a “bridge-builder” – someone connecting the Church’s traditional clericalism with today’s people, especially young adults and youth searching for a faith that speaks to their world.
Christopher White’s book Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy takes readers inside the secret conclave that elected this new pope. It explores what his leadership could mean, not just for Catholics but for a world grappling with rapid change. The book shows how Pope Leo XIV’s leadership brings fresh hope and continuity to a Church navigating rapid change.
‘Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy’ by Christopher White. Image: Supplied
It also seeks to walk those interested in the Church’s journey through its past – the good, the bad and the ugly – to where it may lead in the future.
Beginning with Vatican II – the transformative Council that reshaped the Church’s approach to faith and culture – White traces how recent popes, including the much-loved “people’s pope,” Pope Francis, have balanced tradition with modern challenges.
Pope Leo XIV now carries that legacy forward, blending continuity with a fresh vision.
The book isn’t a history lesson – it’s an engaging journey where White gently guides readers to better understand the Church, its failings, and its promise.
Vatican correspondent and American journalist Christopher White speaks during his public lecture at Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta, on Thursday 9 November 2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
It explores how the Church today grapples with social justice, environmental challenges, and the search for meaning in an uncertain age.
Ideal for young adults, new Catholics, and anyone seeking a clear introduction to the Church’s journey, White’s book offers a message of hope and resilience.
It doesn’t push readers in any particular direction but provides a journalist’s view of the Church, its leadership, and its involvement in politics. Only time will tell whether Pope Leo XIV will carry forth his predecessor’s vision of a synodal Church, but the future looks bright.
Pope Leo XIV is published by Loyola Press: https://store.loyolapress.com/pope-leo-xiv
This article was originally published in the 2025 Season of Creation | Spring edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
