New Books in Christian Studies Pope Leo XIV (with Christopher White)
Jul 15, 2025
Christopher White, a Vatican reporter and author of the upcoming book on Pope Leo XIV, dishes on the new Holy Father, an American from Chicago with deep connections to Perú. He shares fascinating stories from the papal conclave and delves into Pope Leo's legacy in the context of the Second Vatican Council. The conversation touches on synodality, the evolving role of the laity, and the Church's global priorities. White also reflects on Pope Francis's communication style and the complexities facing the Church today.
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Synod Round Tables and Approachability
- At Synod sessions in 2023-2024, cardinals sat equally with laypeople around round tables.
- Cardinal Prevost asked attendees what to call him, opting for 'Robert' to signal approachability.
Global Synod Priorities Differ
- Synod priorities differ globally, reflecting local concerns like poverty and climate in Africa, versus different issues in the West.
- The synodal process holds diverse tensions and is complex but highlights the church's global diversity.
Pope Leo’s Synod Embrace and Augustinian Roots
- Pope Leo, as Cardinal Prevost, embraced synodality to give church members a voice without pushing personal agendas.
- His Augustinian community background values round table dialogue and communal decision-making.
