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Many have asked me what I think of the new pope, Leo XIV, and what we may expect from the first American pope. It is still too soon to really know what to expect. We'll need to watch for Pope Leo's first encyclical. In it he will set the tone for his pontificate.
With that said, there is one important clue which is worth examining. Why did he choose the name Leo XIV? When a person chooses a name in religion, it signifies what they envision their life to reflect. For instance, a girl who loves music might choose the Confirmation name Cecilia, the patroness of musicians. A young man going into religious life might choose the name Paul, because he wishes to emulate the preaching of St Paul the apostle. Pope John Paul I is said to have chosen the name John Paul, because he wished his pontificate to draw upon the good work done by his two predecessors, Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI. Perhaps by looking into the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII we might gain some insight into what might be expected of our new pontiff.
Pope Leo XIII, predecessor of our present pontiff, and inspiration for his choosing the name Leo XIV struggled in his time to educate those in positions of national power to the importance of respecting the Catholic religion and his admonition could be extended to include all Christian beliefs. He stressed the value of Christian morality in the healthy life of a nation. Christian values call for Christians to be obedient to lawful authority, to fulfill civic responsibilities honestly and selflessly and to be compassionate to those in need. When Christians faithfully live out the teachings of Jesus Christ, they are a great asset to those who sincerely desire the wellbeing of their people. As the Boy Scouts of America have long taught our youth: "Duty to God and Country" go hand-in-hand.
One of Leo XIII's first challenges came with the government takeover of the school system in Italy which had for many centuries been handled by the Catholic Church. The anti-God sentiment of the burgeoning socialist movement rejected having the children taught anything that encouraged a belief in God. As a result, Christian morality ceased to be taught in a predominantly Catholic country. The very existence of Christianity was in jeopardy.
This is what gave rise to Pope Leo's warning, a warning that had been voiced by early American leaders. Without morality among our citizens, social order dissolves and the stability of the country is threatened.
As people of faith, Christians must do all that is legitimately possible to see to it that we pass on what we have so blessedly received to the next generation: the gift of Faith by which we are saved; the teachings of our Lord which call us to do good to others, to protect the weak and obey lawful authority; and the Fatherhood of God by which we are called to live in peace with all our brothers and sisters.
May Pope Leo XIV be as strong a voice in our time as Pope Leo XIII was in his day in support of the passing on of our Faith for the wellbeing of our fellow citizens and in encouragement of peace among national leaders throughout the world.
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Rev. Fr. Joseph Orr of Holy Spirit Catholic Parish, Lock Haven.