Pope Leo XIV promotes unity within the Catholic Church by drawing inspiration from his predecessors. Since his election, he has combined phrases, ideas, and liturgical symbols from previous popes, indicating his desire to lead the Church through a synthesis of different approaches.
The new Pope’s actions and words suggest he wants to heal the rifts within the Church, which were deepened during Pope Francis’s tumultuous pontificate. Pope Leo XIV has referenced iconic phrases associated with other popes, such as St. John Paul II’s “Do not be afraid!” and Paul VI’s “Never again war!” He has also praised Pope Francis’s contributions, highlighting the 2013 exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, while quoting Benedict XVI and Francis when speaking of Christ as the ultimate hope for people of good will.
Pope Leo XIV’s liturgical decisions have also reflected his commitment to unity. He has used the ferula, or pastoral staff, of two predecessors, Benedict XVI and Paul VI, and has prayed in front of the remains of popes, including Benedict XVI and Pius XII. These gestures indicate his awareness of the need to unify different groups within the Church.
The Pope’s decision not to choose the name of any post-Vatican II pope, instead opting for Leo XIII, who reigned before the Second Vatican Council, may be seen as a masterstroke in promoting unity. This approach seems to be working, with some traditionalist groups expressing openness to Pope Leo XIV, despite being critical of Pope Francis. The editors of the traditionalist blog Rorate Caeli have noted Pope Leo XIV’s kindness and good heart, virtues that are not always common among bishops.