HABEMUS PAPAM : What does the new papal election mean for the world ?

A puff of white smoke has risen from the Sistine Chapel : time to consider what lies ahead for the Catholic Church under its new leader.

After just four rounds of voting in the conclave, the Catholic Church has elected a new pope. His name is Robert Francis Prevost, and he has chosen to be called Leo XIV. Once considered an outsider, the sixty-nine year-old American's election would have been unthinkable just years ago. What does this moment mean for the Church ? Is he progressive or conservative ? A break from Pope Francis or his natural successor ? And could his deep understanding of American society be a quiet answer to the political chaos stirred by Donald Trump ?

As the new pope appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, a wave of joy erupted across the city. The face was that of Robert Francis Prevost, a historic choice as the first American pope. Born in 1955 in a working-class suburb of Chicago, he began his path much like Pope Francis, with a background in science. He became a priest at 27 and spent nearly 30 years in Peru as a missionary from 1985, calling it his “life's mission” during his first speech as pope. Naturalised Peruvian in 2015, he remains deeply admired in the country, often referred to by the press as “the Peruvian pope.”

The name Leo XIV is a reference to Pope Leo XIII, known for shaping the Church's social doctrine. That pope denounced the excesses of capitalism, promoted workers' rights, and supported the creation of labour unions. This choice suggests that Leo XIV intends to follow a socially engaged path, close to the poor and marginalised, much like his predecessor, Francis. He is expected to preserve Francis' direct relationship with the faithful, contrasting with the more distant, academic approach of Benedict XVI. His election is no surprise : it was Pope Francis who appointed him cardinal in 2023.

“We must work together to be a missionary Church, always ready to welcome with open arms those in need of our charity, presence and love.”

He affirmed that, like Francis, he seeks a Church open to dialogue, between believers, bishops and the pope himself.

While more reserved than Francis, Leo XIV is no less experienced. A close adviser to the previous pope, he played a key role in the appointment of bishops and cardinals worldwide, building deep ties within the Church.

But can this more consensual pope address the divisive issues currently facing Catholicism such as homosexuality, the role of women, or clerical celibacy ? For now, he remains vague, avoiding sharp breaks with tradition.

Leo XIV is also a connected pope, active on social media platform X. In a recent post, he opposed the stance of the US vice president : “J.D. Vance is wrong.” Perhaps this new pope will become a moral counterweight to Donald Trump, already offering a vision at odds with his.

NAIM BRETON