Pope Leo XIV — Viva il Papa!
The preceding weeks have been very exciting ones for the Church. The passing of a great pope and the election of a new one has focused the gaze of the entire world upon the Church. Many have been positively fascinated by the personalities involved as well as the process of a papal election. That process is not akin to any political one that we may be familiar with but relies completely upon the absolute autonomy of the College of Cardinals under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Once again in the life of the Church, this process has given the Church a shepherd who will be a focus of unity for its life and the representation of Christ in the world.
The election of Pope Leo XIV came as quite a surprise to everyone. He is the first pope to be born in the United States, and it was the general opinion that the cardinals would not choose someone from the United States for different reasons. However, the Holy Spirit decided otherwise and gave us a new shepherd who is obviously a citizen of the world with a great deal of experience as a missionary in Peru as well as in living in Rome for quite a few years. Pope Leo XIV has many linguistic talents as well as those of pastoral ability. He recently was the Prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops, which gives him a great deal of knowledge in regard to the needs of the Church throughout the world. By the Holy Spirit guiding the cardinals to elect a universal shepherd from the United States, the land of immigrants, with so many ecclesial abilities, the surprise we received is quite a timely one.
Despite the many positive qualities of Pope Leo XIV, the papacy is more than the man. The election of a new pope for the Church gives us reason to reflect on the nature of the papacy and the role of the Church in our lives. While the pope is the pastor and earthly shepherd of the universal Church, it is Christ who is the ultimate Shepherd of the Church. The pope carries out a role of service in the name of Christ by following the example of Christ. Christ is always guiding the Church, and He uses the different personalities of popes and all members of the Church as He does so. Pope Leo XIV will not be Pope Francis. While they may be similar in many regards, they are different men. Christ uses the human talents and abilities of all men and women for a divine purpose. It is the role of the pope to represent Christ and to point to Christ but not to be Christ. He is at the service of Christ, who alone is the one Shepherd.
The role of the pope as shepherd of the Church reminds all of us of our role within the Church. As baptized members, we all share in building up Christ’s Body in various ways. While all of our roles may be different, they are all equal as far as God is concerned. No one possesses a greater dignity than another, and each one of us is meant to bring that dignity to the holiness of the Church. As the focus of unity within the Church, the pope coordinates the functions of all members who comprise the Church. It is his function to enable each member of the Church to carry out the role proper to him or her.
The election of a new pope reminds us of the continuity of the Church’s mission. The Church rests on Christ. He has given its care to the apostles and their successors. They form a seamless line upon which the Gospel of Christ is handed on. As the successor of St. Peter and head of the college of bishops, the pope is a visible compass of the ever-progressing but stable nature of the Church of Christ. The world changes, but the message of Christ does not. That message must be presented in a manner that can be understood in a changing world and culture. History has taught us well the truth of this reality.
We are very blessed with our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. He has already shown he is quite capable of the role which has been entrusted to him. He will cooperate with the Lord in using his personality, talents and abilities as he concretizes in his office the nature of the Church. He will make a most fitting and capable successor for the beloved Pope Francis.
Let us rejoice in our new pope and pray for him. God has blessed the past century with extraordinary popes. Pope Leo XIV promises to continue in their line. As he carries out his role, may we all carry out the role entrusted to us by Christ, who is our Shepherd, in living and bearing witness to the mission of the Church, which goes back to Christ Himself.
Viva il Papa!
Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito
