US EditionChallenges Facing Leo XIV: China, Finances, Culture Clash
- Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost and the first American pontiff, was elected on May 8, succeeding Pope Francis after his death in April 2025.
- His election followed Pope Francis’s 12-year tenure marked by efforts to globalize the Church and promote inclusivity amid pressures from conservative factions, especially in the U.S.
- Leo XIV has 20 years of missionary experience in Peru, led the Order of St. Augustine, and recently headed the Vatican department overseeing bishops, giving him insight into local church needs and Vatican finances.
- The 2018 Vatican-China agreement overseen by Cardinal Parolin remains controversial, as experts warn it grants excessive CCP control over bishop appointments and endangers the Church’s future in China.
- Pope Leo XIV’s leadership will test whether he can build on Francis’s legacy while addressing complex issues like Church unity, Vatican reform, and China relations amid broad global scrutiny.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Pope Francis-era deal with Chinese Communist Party again under scrutiny as Pope Leo takes the reins
A controversial Vatican–China deal is under review as Pope Leo XIV takes the helm of the Catholic Church and the faithful await his approach to Beijing’s growing influence.
What challenges are in store for Pope Leo XIV?
The newly elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025. The Catholic Church has a new pope, and for the first time, he is an American. Pope Leo XIV was elected on Thursday, succeeding Pope Francis, who died in April. Leo, a 69-year-old native of Chicago, has held several roles in the Church, including serving as a bishop in Peru and leading the Order of St. Augustine. Most recently, he was th…
Comment: Leo XIV is waiting for almost superhuman tasks
The fact that the Pope began his pontificate with a greeting of peace is a strong sign. In a world shaken by crises, he is used as a mediator, says Tilmann Kleinjung. Leo XIV is waiting for almost superhuman tasks.
Time Magazine
khbrknewsThe Biggest Challenges Pope Leo XIV Faces
Pope Leo XIV—born Robert Francis Prevost—is the first American Pope. His election on May 8 signals a shift in the world order of the Church—a shift that many people did not believe would happen anytime soon. But as the once improbable has become reality, Leo must now choose how he will lead the Church—and the some 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe—and how to build on Pope Francis’s legacy. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Read More: ‘Peace …
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