His glassy eyes. His biting lips. His broken voice. Evidence of agitation that seized his body and soul. Only a detail broke the overflowing emotion in the First greeting of Leo XIVwho appeared to the world 69 years after his alter ego Robert Francis Prevost. A humble role – where he was written his speech on the balcony of San Pedro – already left clues who was the new Pope of the Catholic Church. Today, August 15the religious calendar marks red the Assumption of the Virgin Marybut also a capricious Vatican event: the 100 days from the papacy of Leo XIV. “More than enough” time to start understanding who it is. And, above all, who is not.
Because the cardenal Robert Francis Prevost He arrived at the conclave with the sambenite of Francisco’s ‘continuist’, who was close in many moments. But It hasn’t taken for ‘breaking’ With his predecessor. At least, in gestural, especially relevant issue during the pontificate of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Explains it to El HuffPost The Professor of Communication and Leadership of the European University . “In these first 100 days He wanted to send a message to his church, a ‘I am not Francisco’. He has voluntarily adopted a different, discreet and soundproof profile, “he says.
Professor Ruiz sees a will to “build an identity of leader connected in the organization, not to seek the prominence from an egocentric point of view.” The contrast, it continues, was immediate, “basically because Francisco arrogated a prominence would say until excessive From the 1st minute. “Now Leon seeks to focus on her ‘organization’ and that she is the one to help her grow as an internal leader.”
‘Spiritual Catholicism’ and ‘Peripheral Catholicism’ are two terms in which the professor of the European University relies to unravel the reason for the election of Leo XIV. In his opinion, the Church was clear about the need to bet on an ‘internal manager’. “I would say that with Francis fix the ‘disconnection’ cracks with the most spiritual Catholics And Leo XIV, well aware of this, knew that he would have to face it. “A philosophy already seen in his first speech, under the central idea of, in a moment of growing tensions within the institution.
The, Major and Teacher of the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), delves into this matter. “Many liked that the Pope was less liturgical but there were also comments of ‘lack of liturgy’. They called a lot of attention, at the global level, their gestures with the prisoners, with the poor … novelty for many, but at the church level who has not done so …”, reflects this priest who is also chemical and musician.
“I would say that Pope Francis was a bishop for the world, of diocese, and also of signs, to do, very exposed to the focus and he knew. The last time I was in audience with him, I remember that we said that we prayed a lot for him and He joked that if for or against. Now, Pope Leo XIV shows not thinking about the gesture, but what he has to do, “adds the religious.
Who is Leo XIV then? Perhaps, the interviewees explain, it will be the time who finished defining, but there are already “clues.” “In your choice I read a headline that said ‘UN PASTOR SERENO For a convulsive world ‘and it seemed very successful, “says Luis Emilio Pascual.
The priest could be relatively close to him scarce dates, by the Youth Jubilee. Despite the crowd in the Vatican, he saw “the same person” who in his presentation on the balcony of San Pedro, “someone, so to speak, close to me, sensitive and serene“. A closeness that he also wanted to show in his visits to the hospital or in the memory of recently deceased young people.” There the believers will see Jesus Christ who comforted, the non -believers will see humanity, without a spiritual character, but as a figure of friendship and union, “continues the Pascual Father.
Both he and Professor Ruiz stop in the idea of “serenity.” “In the minute one with your written text showed ‘I don’t want to make mistakes’. Control despite the torrent of emotions, “says the chaplain of the UCAM. Moisés Ruiz adds that this detail was an example of” balance “, because” he was knowing that it would be an irresponsibility to go to the balcony to say what emotionally comes at that moment. “
Of doors inside, for now
The portrait advances towards an internal and silent leader, at least so far. Because the two interviewees clarify that the Pope himself knows that “at some point” he will have to take the step towards a vis more media “It’s not something that worries him now, but he knows that he will arrive and wants to get to that moment with a strong organizationcohesive, “says Moisés Ruiz.
In fact, he believes that it will be his own faithful who “demand it.” The professor of the European University looks back a decade to clarify it. “Benedict XVI He had a very rationalist leadership and in the end he had to abdicate because, among other things, I was leaving the church out of the world’s ‘focus’. The time will come when Leo XIV has to take that media step, even Catholics themselves will need it. “
Father Pascual sees a main advantage in the future of the papacy of until May Cardinal Prevost, his biography. “He was born in the United Transversal intellectual profileit covers theology, but also mathematics. “summarizes it with what”He knows everything And that today is key. “
Therefore, he believes that he can speak the “global language” to “connect” with very diverse international leaders, also helped by the fact that “The Pope is still respected at the state levelas a representative that is from the Catholic Church and voice of many millions of people. ” It still does not have such a strong profile And it can certainly have it, but Today your task is another“He concludes.
