When the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel one year ago today, we all knew it signaled a change. None but the cardinal electors knew how big a change it was, with the election of the first American pope.
In truth, it was the beginning of a distinct pastoral experiment, one introduced a few hours later with the new pope’s simple, disarming greeting: “Peace be with you all.”
With those words from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV sketched the outline of a papacy that, twelve months on, has consistently returned to peace as the priority.
From his first public appearances, Leo signaled that his leadership would lean into proximity. He has embraced traditional papal garb, to many Catholics’ delight, and he favors direct language and unscripted moments, often speaking in ways that feel closer to a parish homily than a Vatican address. His communication style has proven consequential. At a time when institutional religion struggles with trust and relevance in some parts of the world, the new pope’s informality has functioned as a bridge—more “inviting” and less “proclaiming.”
There are also clear echoes of his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly in his emphasis on migrants, the poor, and those living at the margins. In releasing Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”), an apostolic exhortation on the poor that had been in the works under Francis before his death, Leo underscored that his papacy is not a hard break from the Argentinean pope.
Several moments over the past year stand out. Last November, Leo proclaimed St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church, linking education and faith. He addressed “digital missionaries and influencers” in July, calling for a focus on Christ and overcoming division.
And of course, there was the media-driven tiff with the Trump administration, sparked by perceived differences over the war in Iran. Those differences were largely put to rest by Leo condemning the proliferation of nuclear weapons on Wednesday, along with yesterday’s cordial meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In continuity with recent popes and the Second Vatican Council, Leo has emphasized dialogue with the modern world. But where his predecessors often worked through encyclicals and formal channels, Leo has made use of interviews, off-the-cuff exchanges, and visible comfort with contemporary media dynamics. This has not been without risk, but it has made the pope feel less distant and more responsive.
He has also signaled a clear geographic priority. Much like John Paul II before him, Leo has recognized Africa as vital to the Church’s present and future—not simply as a region of growth, but as a place of deep spiritual vitality. His eleven-day trip across the continent in April underscored that commitment. He called himself a “missionary of peace,” highlighting justice, unity, and hope in regions scarred by conflict and inequality. He focused on condemning global exploitation and urging an end to war.
After twelve months, five takeaways of Leo XIV’s young papacy emerge:
-
Peace is not a slogan, but a governing principle.
From his first words to his ongoing emphasis on reconciliation, Leo has positioned peace not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical framework for leadership, shaping how he engages conflict within and outside the Church.
-
Continuity with Pope Francis and expressing his own voice.
Through his outreach to migrants and the poor, Leo has reinforced a shared vision of a Church that prioritizes those on the margins. We will soon hear Leo’s own voice in an official document: the new pope’s first encyclical is reported to drop on May 15. Entitled Magnifica Humanitas, or “Magnificent Humanity,” it will reportedly address modern challenges, including the pursuit of world peace, the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, and perceived crises in the international order and law.
-
A pastoral tone can be a form of leadership.
The Chicago-born pope’s emphasis on accompaniment—walking with people rather than instructing from afar—is also in line with Pope Francis. Leo described the “art” of formation as requiring “patience, listening, accompaniment, and verification,” emphasizing personal, consistent support in leading people to faith.
-
Accessibility can expand influence.
By adopting a more casual and direct communication style, Leo has sought to broaden the Church’s reach, particularly among younger audiences. Even if he hasn’t overruled or replaced his predecessor’s restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass and sacraments (highly favored by young Catholics), he has taken a more conciliatory approach, calling, for example, for “generous inclusion of those sincerely attached to the Vetus Ordo” in late March.
-
Engagement with politics requires careful calibration.
From the earlier tensions with the Trump administration to his recent meeting with Secretary Rubio, Leo XIV has demonstrated a consistent approach: firm in principle, restrained in tone, and focused on diplomacy over division, with the call for peace remaining constant.
One year is not enough time to define a papacy. The more difficult tests—internal Church governance, long-term credibility, and international diplomacy—lie ahead. But if the first twelve months are any indication, Pope Leo XIV is shaping something significant. His is a papacy that insists that peace is not passive, that continuity can be creative, and that the Church’s most compelling voice may be the one that listens first.
Image: Edgar Beltrán via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
