Beatriz Alonso de Medina
A year passes quickly, and a year it has already been since Leo XIV introduced himself to the world…
A whole year already, I thought it had been less!
Beyond official papal acts, personal gestures define the human side of each pope. Some of the most spontaneous moments of Pope Leo have left many with warm feelings.
Like when, without warning, he appeared in front of thousands of young people at the end of a Jubilee Mass, sparking a wave of excitement.
Or when, at a concert dedicated to the poor, he even let loose to to sing along with Michael Bublé…
I think him singing with Michael Bublé was really accessible to us and made him even more real. Again, knowing he's the spiritual leader of the church and, right now, just the spiritual leader of Christianity. In general, not just the Catholic Church—I think is really important.
But if there has been one constant thing in this first year, it has been gestures of closeness and direct contact.
For example, his hugs around the world. The most recent one was in Africa, where this happened: a spontaneous embrace from a young girl in Cameroon.
Or this one in Lebanon, when he comforted families of victims and survivors of the 2020 Beirut port explosion.
Another moment that showed his human side was when he broke protocol with his older brother after the Inauguration Mass for his papacy.
At audiences, he often stops his Popemobile to bless children and toddlers—some dressed as mini popes—or even to cradle newborn babies. Such touching moments have become familiar.
Official acts from the pope make headlines, but it is through small, human gestures that Pope Leo XIV has won the hearts of many throughout the world in his first year.
