James O'Reilly
365 days can amount to a lot, and Pope Leo XIV has for the most part lived up to expectations: prudent, attentive, and calm, the pope has gradually shaped how he wants his papacy to look.
FR. JOSEPH FARRELL
My experience of him is that he is a man that listens. He recognizes the importance of listening first, then thinking, and then acting.
P. JASSON SEMPERTIGUE
He tries to manage everything well, but his most difficult decisions are when he has to change someone in a leadership position.
Four months passed before he made his first big appointment—his replacement at the Dicastery for Bishops, for which he chose Filippo Iannone, a jurist with Vatican experience.
JAVIER MARTÍNEZ-BROCAL
The profiles he has appointed as collaborators are all people…They are not non-confrontational in the sense of being indifferent, but rather people who work, get things done, and move things forward without causing harm.
For example, the Prefect of the Papal Household is now Petar Rajič, a jurist and diplomat. His role is key, bringing together two aspects of papal work: managing the pope’s daily schedule and overseeing all event protocol.
Many meanwhile expected there would be changes in the Secretariat of State, but so far the pope has kept Parolin as his number two and chief Vatican diplomat. He has, however, changed the number three—his most important appointment so far. Pope Leo chose Paolo Rudelli, who has more than 25 years of diplomatic service.
But the pope also relies on a close circle of trusted people. These include his two secretaries, Marco Billeri, appointed after his election, and Fr. Edgar, who has accompanied him since his time in Peru.
MSGR. EDGARD RIMAYCUNA
Working alongside a friend, in my particular case, and also being the one who helps him in his daily work and who protects him so that he can carry out his duties with peace of mind.
Pope Leo follows in the path of his predecessors, but with his own style. He has brought back the red vestments and certain traditions, such as the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday at St. John Lateran.
JAVIER MARTÍNEZ-BROCAL
Each pope has room to maneuver in how to translate his message into specific gestures, and Pope Leo believes it is worthwhile to be very rigorous—in the sense of being respectful—regarding papal protocol and the rules that govern the pope’s actions.
Two of the most repeated messages of Leo XIV are the same ones with which he presented himself to the world: peace and the unity of the Church in a world marked by division.
JAVIER MARTÍNEZ-BROCAL
In the Catholic Church, he has reduced internal polarizations, which existed and were dividing it, and he is showing society that it is possible to govern without raising voices, without imposing your judgment, by listening to everyone. He is demonstrating that another kind of leadership is possible, and that it is very effective.
To this we can also add the gestures Pope Leo has shown through his apostolic visits. In 365 days, he has already made three trips outside Italy and has visited a total of seven countries.
