The recent election of Bishop Robert Prevost as pope, taking the name Leo XIV, has sparked considerable discussion regarding the implications of his choice.
Many observers are drawing parallels to the legacy of the last pope named Leo, Leo XIII (1878-1903), whose tenure was influential yet situated between two of the most conservative popes in modern history: Pius IX and Pius X.
While the latter two popes issued strong warnings about the rising tides of modernity—including secularization, materialism, and even the concept of democracy—Leo XIII emerged as a progressive figure in the church.
He established Thomism as the cornerstone of the Catholic educational system and addressed the challenges posed by the industrial revolution, including the rise of socialism and Communism.
With the choice of Leo XIV, there is a collective hope that the new pope may embody a blend of intellectual conservatism while also demonstrating flexibility on economic issues.
A related aspect of Leo XIII’s legacy may also shed light on how Leo XIV will interact with the United States, especially when compared to his predecessor Pope Francis.
Hugh Hewitt has speculated that Leo XIV, being familiar with notable aspects of American culture—from popular television shows such as ‘Gilligan’s Island’ to rooting for iconic sports teams—will likely adopt a more amicable view of America.
Unlike Francis, who often highlighted the contemporary challenges faced by the church in the U.S., Leo XIV may see American society as more ordinary and integrated into the daily fabric of the church.
This perspective would mark a significant departure from that of his namesake, Leo XIII.
It is essential to note that while Leo XIII was generally warm in his sentiments toward the United States, he raised serious concerns regarding the phenomenon of Americanism, which he classified as a heresy.
His encyclical, ‘Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae’ (1899), while characterized by a mild tone, underscored the need for caution among clergy regarding the role of Roman Catholicism within American society.
The occasion for this encyclical stemmed from a broader controversy in France, where the legacy of the French Revolution had deeply unsettled the church.
In France, some priests sought to harmonize Roman Catholicism with the ideals of the republic, drawing inspiration from the American church and figures like Isaac Hecker.
Yet, this ambition alarmed conservatives in the Vatican, leading to Leo XIII’s eventual rejection of Americanism.
While Leo expressed support for the American church’s outreach, he cautioned against conforming church structures and teachings to American cultural norms, fearing that ideals of liberty and equality could undermine the church’s authority.
Although the encyclical did not create immediate upheaval within the church, its ramifications lingered into the mid-20th century.
During the post-World War II era, when anti-Catholic sentiments surged following the publication of Paul Blanshard’s ‘American Freedom and Catholic Power’ (1949), the church faced increasing scrutiny.
John Courtney Murray, a Jesuit priest at a Maryland seminary, argued for the compatibility of American democracy and Roman Catholic teachings based on principles of medieval Natural Law.
His views, however, drew condemnation from Church authorities, resulting in a nearly ten-year hiatus on his writings regarding church-state relations.
With John F. Kennedy’s election as the first Roman Catholic president in 1960, discussions around the church’s place within American governance intensified, eventually leading to Murray’s reemergence in public life.
In a broader context, after Kennedy’s victory, Vatican II brought profound changes with declarations such as ‘Dignitatis Humanae’ (1965), which validated religious freedom and diversity within the Catholic framework.
The election of Leo XIV thus raises pertinent questions about the future of the Catholic Church’s relationship with modernity and America, representing the potential for a reconciliatory path that aligns with the complexities of contemporary society.
image source from：https://wng.org/opinions/leo-from-chicago-1749004631
