Pope Leo XIII (Francesco de Federicis, about 1898)
Leo XIII walked to Francis. Now, Leo XIV “wants to continue the role” that its Argentine predecessor played in the field of social justice, say reverend friends and colleagues from home.
O Conclave: Robert PrevostChicago is the new Pope – the first American to occupy the position. Chose the name Pope Leo XIVa decision that gave it off this Thursday.
Although the new 69 -year -old High Pontiff has not explained the choice of name during his first speech, it is being seen inside the church as a Tribute to Pope Leo XIII, “The Workers Pope”and its legacy in the struggle for social justice and support for the working class.
Born Gioacchino Pecci in 1810, in the Italian region of Carpineto, was elected to be a transitional figureafter the long reign – and the last of a pope – of Pius IX.
Is seen as a revolutionary in the Catholic Church, for his firm, unprecedented, against economic injustice. He said, for example, that “defrauding anyone in his salary” is “a great crime that calls for the vindictive wrath of heaven,” a fundamental step in Catholic social doctrine.
The oldest video Pope has served for 25 years – the third longest papacy in church history, after those of Pius IX and John Paul II.
Known for its 1891 encyclical, “on the condition of the workers” – Lion XIII It was known for defending workers’ rights, supporting union formation and denouncing exploitation. In this doctrine, he spoke about the tensions of the Industrial Revolution, the work versus Capital, the exploitation of workers and the rise of socialist movements that threatened to erode the moral authority of the Church and the institution of private property. But in it it also condemned the abuse of industrial capitalism.
“The rights, in which they are, must be religiously respected and the state must ensure them to all citizens, preventing or avenging their violation. However, in the protection of particular rights, It should be concerned, in a special way, with the weak and the indigent“It reads in the historic letter.
He cited “the vast expansion of industrial activities”, “the huge fortunes of a few individuals” and “the extreme poverty of the masses” as signs of a social order in crisis. Vatican experts say who always sought a balance Between maintaining doctrinal orthodoxy and at the same time opening the way for the dialogue between the church and a world in rapid modernization.
A name associated with “anti-Americanism”
On the other hand, the choice of the name of Leo XIV, the first American pope turns out to be something ironic.
Leo XIII was a critic of “Americanism”a term that used to describe the efforts to modernize or liberalize the doctrine of the Church in line with contemporary values, despite being a defender of social reforms.
In one of 1899 to the Bishops of the United States, Leo XIII warned against allowing national culture to influence ecclesiastical authority, insisting that the church should maintain universal consistency.
Leo XIII urged American bishops to “repudiate and condemn [o americanismo] as being extremely harmful to themselves and their country. ”
New Pope “wants to continue what Francis did”
Friend of the new Pope, Reverend Art Purcaro believes that Predost has chosen this name to signal a commitment to the advancement of the church’s social mission. Prevost “Want to continue the role that Pope Francis” performed In the field of social justice, admits the reverend to.
In his first speech, this Thursday, after the white smoke takes the crowd to madness, Leo XIV said that wants a “church that builds bridges and dialogue” and that is “always open to receive all“.
Reverend John Lydon has already lived with the new Pope. He also believes that the name Lion was chosen “to refer to the first Pope who gave us the Catholic social doctrine of the Church.”
What we know (and what we don’t know) about Leo XIV
Leo XIV served as Bishop in Chiclayo, Peruand occupied the influential position of mayor of the Dicker for the bishops, where he supervised the episcopal appointments around the world.
Born in Chicago, has Spanish ancestry and Peruvian nationality. Made cardinal by the predecessor Francisco, belongs to the Order of St. Augustine and is considered a progressive.
However, it is still a mystery the way Pope Leo XIV, considered more centrist than Franciscowill address controversial issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and same -sex marriage.
In 2012, the now lion XIV said to be against same -sex marriageHe recalls: “He lamented that Western media and popular culture promote ‘sympathy for beliefs and practices that are in disagreement with the Gospel.’ He cited ‘homosexual lifestyle’ and ‘alternative families composed of same-sex partners and their adoptive children’,” recalls the American newspaper.
