As the white smoke dissipates, Leo XIV isn't exactly Francis 2.0

By J. Basil Dannebohm

Catholics and non-Catholics alike are riding high on emotions over two words: "Habemus papam." (We have a pope.) However, once the honeymoon is over and reality sets in, enthusiasm for Pope Leo XIV will likely subside as some supporters of the papal concept, particularly non-Catholics, discover he isn't ‘exactly’ a carbon copy of Francis.

The new leader of the Catholic Church reportedly aligns very close to the late Pope Francis’ social views regarding the environment, outreach to the poor, the dignity of migrants, and being a shepherd who meets people on their level. As a Cardinal, the newly elected pontiff supported his predecessor's change in pastoral practice, allowing divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion.

Like Francis, Pope Leo XIV appears to oppose the Trump regime on matters relating to social justice and immigration. As a Cardinal, Robert Prevost used his social media account to criticize Mr. Vance's views on Catholicism and the gospel, he posted an article opposing Mr. Trump's immigration policies, and he retweeted a criticism of Trump for his heckling of the wrongly imprisoned Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

When asked about homosexuality, the late Pope Francis famously said: "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?"

However, Leo XIV is considerably less favorable to the LGBTQ+ community.

While serving as a bishop in Peru, Prevost opposed government plans to add teachings about gender in school, calling "the promotion of gender ideology confusing" since they "create genders that don't exist." In 2012, Prevost spoke about the "sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel," citing "homosexual lifestyle" and "alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children."

Pope Francis made clear his desire for women to take on more active roles in the ministry of the Church. In 2023, Prevost said that “clericalizing women” would not solve issues in the church:

“Something that needs to be said also is that ordaining women — and there’s been some women that have said this, interestingly enough — ‘clericalizing women’ doesn’t necessarily solve a problem, it might make a new problem,” Prevost told journalists at a news conference.

Democrats might be disappointed to learn that Illinois voting records show that Pope Leo XIV is registered to vote in the Chicago suburb of New Lenox, voting in the Republican primary in 2016, 2014 and 2012. (He likewise voted in the general election in 2024, 2018, 2014 and 2012.)

Regarding the ongoing crisis of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, there have likewise been "grave concerns" raised about the new pope. As Provincial (administrator) of the Augustinians, Prevost allowed Father James Ray, a priest accused of abusing minors, to reside at the order’s friary in Chicago, despite its proximity to a Catholic elementary school. In 2022, when Prevost was Bishop of Chiclayo (Peru), three victims reported allegations of abuse to civil authorities after they claimed there was no movement on their canonical cases through the diocese.

Radical Catholic traditionalists are placing their hope in the new pope’s choice of name. Pope Leo XIII was considered the founder of Catholic social teaching and supported many progressive social views. However, like others who bore the name Leo, he was considered doctrinally and morally conservative.

Though many loved the late John Paul II, some Catholics grew weary of his lengthy pontificate. Being 69 years old, it stands to reason that Leo XIV will have a similarly long papacy.

Those expecting the new pope to be a sort of Francis 2.0 are in for a slight disappointment. While Leo XIV will likely have some of the same views as Francis, he will almost certainly lack the late pontiff’s signature charisma and off-the-cuff approach. All indications suggest he will be a bit more of a doctrinal hardliner and less outgoing. In other words: Leo XIV will more than likely be a cross between Francis and Benedict XVI.

Ahead of the conclave, Prevost was promoted as a possible compromise candidate if leading candidates were unable to obtain enough votes. In essence, he was seen as someone who could navigate the complex and divisive environment within the Church, demonstrating a balance between different theological and political positions.

Many Catholics are of the opinion that a pontificate of balance is precisely what their divided Church needs right now. So, while outsiders (even those of us who have sworn off religion entirely) are free to have our opinions, Catholics are the ones with a new pope: Leo XIV.