Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical – a social encyclical – should have clarified whether a transition between the old and the new world truly took place. The impression, arising from several clues, is not only that the transition is yet incomplete, but that it has yet to begin.

What do we know so [...]

The possible Lefebvrian schism is the first major crisis Leo XIV has faced since his election as Pope. The pontiff, whose mandate was to resolve conflicts in the Church, finds himself dealing with a very combative group of priests and bishops who have decided, to preserve their aging hierarchy, to ordain new bishops without [...]

When he first appeared on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica dressed as Pope, Leo XIV immediately declared himself “a son of St. Augustine.” It was a statement of identity, powerfull and immediate, which quickly showed itself indeed to be a fundamental characteristic for understanding this pontiff and his pontificate.

Deep down, Leo [...]

The great goal of Leo XIV’s pontificate is to restore unity in the Church. The task, however, is particularly arduous. In short, it is something easier said than done.

The pontiff’s comments to journalists en route with him to Rome from Africa illustrate the point.

Leo took a question regarding Cardinal Reinhard Marx’s [...]