Pope Leo XIV's First Year: Balancing Tradition and Reform

The life of the Church is a river that flows, sometimes calm, sometimes turbulent. Each Pope, like a helmsman, sets his own course, but always in the same direction: proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Scripture reminds us:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8)

In this article, we want to accompany you in a pastoral reflection on these first months, seeking to understand the signs of the times and Pope Leo's choices, without prejudice and with an open heart.

Continuity with Francis: The Spirit of the Synod

One of Pope Francis's most precious legacies was synodality, understood as the common journey of the people of God. Pope Leo has shown his desire to embrace this legacy by convening the presidents of the world's bishops' conferences for next October to jointly review the reception of the apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia.

This gesture is not merely formal: it is a concrete sign that the Church wants to continue listening to the Holy Spirit through dialogue and participation. As the Pope himself said: “We do not want synodality to remain a beautiful word, but to become daily practice in our communities.”

The long journey to Africa last autumn was also fully in tune with Francis's style: visiting the peripheries, being close to the poor, proclaiming the Gospel in distant lands. During those days, the Pope met with persecuted Christian communities, spoke about justice and peace, and invited everyone to be “the salt of the earth and the light of the world” (Mt 5:13-14).

A Magisterium that Looks to the Poor

In the documents published so far, such as the encyclical letter Spes in via, the echo of Francis's words is strong: attention to migrants, care for creation, defense of life at all stages. Pope Leo has repeatedly said that “the Church is a mother who does not forget her most fragile children.”

So this is not a break, but a deep continuity in content. What changes is perhaps the style, but not the substance of the Gospel proclamation.

Discontinuity: A Return to a More Reserved Style

If there is continuity in content, significant differences can be seen in style and some formal choices. Pope Leo has chosen to move back into the Apostolic Palace, leaving the Casa Santa Marta, and to wear more elaborate liturgical vestments, like those used by Benedict XVI.

Some have seen this as a sign of rupture with Francis's simplicity. But perhaps it is just the way of a man who, by temperament, is more reserved and inclined to solemnity. As Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said: “Every Pope has his charism, and we must respect it.”

The trip to the Principality of Monaco, though brief, was also interpreted by some as a choice not exactly “going out.” Yet there too, the Pope met with young people, prisoners, and brought a message of hope.

Unity in Diversity

One of the greatest challenges for Pope Leo is to hold together the different souls of the Church. On one side, the cardinals more closely tied to Benedict XVI and John Paul II, who elected him; on the other, those who shared Francis's journey. The Pope seems to seek unity through gestures of attention to both sides.

It is not easy, but the Church is called to be a sign of unity in a divided world. Pope Leo reminds us that, beyond differences in style, what is essential is to remain united in Christ. As St. Paul says:

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5)

In these first months, the Pope has shown great capacity for listening and dialogue, qualities that will be essential for facing future challenges. The Church continues its journey, guided by the Holy Spirit, trusting that, as Pope Leo said in his homily at the beginning of his pontificate: “The Lord never abandons his Church.”