Leo XIV: Diplomacy, commitment, and reforms

On March 28, two weeks after his appointment as Archbishop of Lodz, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski took possession of his see, fulfilling his promise to ensure that a bishop would lead the diocese by Easter.

A week after his appointment as Deputy Secretary of State, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli promptly arrived at the Vatican, where he met the staff, introduced by none other than the Secretary of State himself, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Leo XIV appointed new members to the Dicastery for Communication—an expected but carefully calculated decision. The Pope’s choices sent a clear message: his priorities and vision would now set the tone for communications.

At the same time, an international scandal erupted when the subscription magazine The Free Press revealed that the former nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Pierre, had been summoned to the Pentagon. It reported that the Catholic Undersecretary of Defense had implied that the Holy See should align with the United States, drawing a comparison to the Avignon period when the Church was under the influence of French kings. This event further illustrates the complex environment facing Leo XIV’s reforms.

This reconstruction, to be fair, was later denied by Cardinal Pierre and the Undersecretary of Defense, who described a cordial and respectful atmosphere. It is very likely that it was an informal conversation—also because the nuncio is not summoned to the “Defense Ministry” but rather to the Foreign Ministry—and that it was recounted somewhat breathlessly, which ultimately led the journalist to write as he did.

These four events might seem unrelated at first glance.

A closer look reveals a subtle, connecting theme: the Pope’s leadership style and priorities as seen through reforms, appointments, communication strategy, and diplomatic engagement. By examining these connections, we can better understand the Pope’s approach.

First of all, these events determined the speed with which the Pope implemented reforms. He thought carefully, listened to everyone, and perhaps seemed slow to make a decision. But when he decided, Leo XIV decided relentlessly, without hesitation, and expected his decisions to be implemented.

The rapid move and Rudelli’s equally rapid arrival at the Secretariat of State demonstrate the Pope’s desire for rapid change when necessary. Moreover, Rudelli possesses another characteristic beloved by the Pope: institutionality. Indeed, he chose to occupy the substitute’s apartment in the Third Lodge, forgoing the isolated apartment that his predecessor, Pena Parra, had chosen for himself in the Second Lodge, where the diplomatic staff is located.

Second, these events illustrate how Leo XIV implements generational change. The new members of the Dicastery for Communication were eagerly awaited, as the last appointments were in 2021 and all members had therefore expired.

In choosing the new members, Leo XIV made a clear choice: he included the two pro-prefects of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Archbishop Rino Fisichella), as well as the preacher of the Pontifical Household, who in recent memory had never been included as a member of a dicastery. He also included several presidents of continental episcopal organizations, but there are no Europeans among the new members. There is one cardinal, Cristobal Lopez, Archbishop of Rabat, who has a solid background as a journalist but is at heart a missionary who has lived the life and walked the missionary walk.

In short, Leo XIV seems to be thinking of the Holy See’s communication as something that must first and foremost reach the ends of the earth. No longer just the voice of the Pope, but the voice of the people. Above all, the idea is to develop evangelization.

This could also lead to a reform of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, which currently has both institutional and pastoral roles, as well as news distribution, under its purview. Many hope that the Holy See Press Office will once again report directly to the Secretariat of State, so that official communications will be directly linked to the Pope’s Secretariat, without excessive bureaucracy.

We’ll see.

Meanwhile, Leo XIV will have to appoint a new Prefect of Communications by the end of the year, given that Paolo Ruffini’s term expires. The choice of Ruffini’s successor will be a further signal: will the Pope again choose a layperson, or will he opt for a cleric?

Evangelization also shapes Leo XIV’s diplomacy.

In his Easter urbi et orbi message, he broke with tradition. Leo XIV addressed political leaders head-on, demanding they lay down arms and open direct dialogue. When President Donald Trump declared his intention to destroy a civilization, Leo XIV responded decisively, calling Catholics to mobilize for peace and studiously omitting mention of Trump by name.

His message was unambiguous: the Pope sets principles; Catholics must act with conviction.

Leo XIV’s diplomacy defends principle and personal responsibility, rising above partisanship. The Pentagon meeting with Cardinal Pierre is a telling example: discussions of U.S. positions may have occurred, perhaps Avignon was referenced, but interpreting this as a threat is unsound.

The dialectic has changed. The signals being sent are different.

Leo XIV called for disarmament, and this is one example where language must be disarmed to avoid narrative conflict. Leo XIV’s pontificate, however, is unmistakably coming into is own, characterized by careful and deliberate reform, the revival of institutional symbols, and unflinching clarity of communication. The Pope’s direction is ‘Leonine.’

It’s early for final judgments, but the direction seems clear.