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In Defence of Pope Leo XIV
Source: The Daily Declaration
Amid controversy surrounding recent remarks from the US President, it’s worth stepping back to understand who Pope Leo XIV truly is and what his role entails.
The Role and Mission of the Pope – Amid ControversyAs many of us are aware, recent days have seen some troubling comments made by the President of the United States and some of his supporters regarding Pope Leo XIV. Without getting into those remarks directly, I’d like to clarify what Pope Leo truly stands for and the broader mission and calling of a Pope.
The Role and Mission of the Pope
As the successor of St Peter, the Pope carries on the mission of one of Jesus Christ’s apostles. This lineage stretches back nearly 2,000 years.
The Pope provides spiritual leadership to the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, guiding them in their relationship with Christ, prayer, and the Christian mission that every believer is called to. There are other duties too, but I won’t go into those here.
Pope Leo XIV, like all Popes, is centred on Christ—a devout man of God who seeks to lead from this foundation. As a missionary, Pope Leo also maintains a deep, personal connection with the poor and marginalised across the globe.
Who Is Pope Leo XIV, Really?
It’s important to remember that Popes are human beings too, with their own unique qualities and interests. For example, Greg Sheridan wrote in The Australian on 14 April 2026, that “… Leo, the first Pope from the US, is no crypto-communist. When he lived in Chicago, Leo voted in Republican primaries.
“He has praised the NATO alliance, showing he’s not some leftie who demonises soldiers. He has also said that nations have the right to secure borders and decide who comes into their countries, but that they should do so with dignity and care.”
Make your own conclusions from this statement.
Sheridan also mentioned, “What on earth would you expect the Pope to say? Leo is a thoughtful, cautious, sensible, prayerful Pope.”
A Shepherd, Not a Politician
However, as the successor of St Peter and leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV also needs to speak out on global issues.
Recently, he’s addressed topics like the actions of African dictators, the conflict in Ukraine, issues involving China, and the Iran war.
Due to Australia’s links with US media, we sometimes focus on certain issues, which can give a skewed view of Pope Leo’s messages.
In defence of Pope Leo XIV, it’s worth noting that he leads primarily as a Christian spiritual guide, not a politician.
As he has said himself, “We need personally to experience the closeness of the Master, to know that we have been seen, loved, and chosen by the Lord by pure grace and without merit on our part.” – Pope Leo XIV
COMMENTARY
Introduction: Defending the Shepherd
In times of controversy, it is essential to step back from the noise and remember the true nature of the office being criticised. The Pope is not a politician, not a military strategist, not a partisan commentator. He is the successor of St Peter, the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, and a shepherd to all who seek Christ.
This article defends Pope Leo XIV against recent attacks, but more importantly, it clarifies what the papacy is and what it is not.
The Successor of St Peter
The article opens with a reminder of the Pope’s lineage. This is not a new office invented in the Middle Ages or a political position created for convenience. The Pope is the successor of St Peter, the apostle whom Jesus personally appointed to lead His Church.
This lineage stretches back nearly 2,000 years. It connects the current Pope to the earliest days of Christianity. When someone attacks the Pope, they are not merely criticising a contemporary religious leader—they are standing against a tradition that has endured since the time of Christ.
The Spiritual Leader of 1.4 Billion Souls
The Pope’s primary role is spiritual leadership. He guides Catholics in their relationship with Christ, in prayer, and in the Christian mission. He is not a king, a president, or a commander. He has no army, no navy, no nuclear arsenal. His only weapons are prayer, truth, and love.
Yet his influence extends to 1.4 billion people—nearly a sixth of the world’s population. When he speaks, the world listens. And because the world listens, there is a temptation to interpret his words through a political lens. But that lens distorts.
A Devout Man of God
Pope Leo XIV is, according to those who know him, “centred on Christ.” He is a devout man of God who seeks to lead from this foundation. He maintains a deep, personal connection with the poor and marginalised across the globe.
This is not a man seeking power or influence. This is a man who has dedicated his life to serving God and serving others. His motivations are not political; they are pastoral.
A Thoughtful, Cautious, Sensible, Prayerful Pope
Greg Sheridan’s description of Pope Leo is worth quoting: “a thoughtful, cautious, sensible, prayerful Pope.” These are not the words of an enemy or a critic. They are the words of an observer who has taken the time to understand.
Thoughtful—he does not speak without reflection.
Cautious—he weighs his words carefully.
Sensible—he is grounded in reality.
Prayerful—he seeks guidance from above.
These are the qualities of a good shepherd. They are not the qualities of a politician.
A Shepherd, Not a Politician
The article makes a crucial distinction: the Pope leads as a Christian spiritual guide, not a politician. This means:
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He speaks on moral issues, not partisan ones.
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He calls for peace, even when war seems justified.
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He defends the poor and marginalised, even when they are politically inconvenient.
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He reminds the powerful of their obligations to the weak.
When the Pope addresses global issues—African dictators, the Ukraine conflict, China, the Iran war—he is not taking sides in a political struggle. He is applying the principles of the Gospel to the crises of the day.
The Danger of Selective Outrage
The article notes that “due to Australia’s links with US media, we sometimes focus on certain issues, which can give a skewed view of Pope Leo’s messages.”
This is an important observation. If you only hear about the Pope’s statements on one issue, you might think that issue defines him. But the Pope speaks on many issues. He addresses the whole world, not just one nation.
Selective outrage is a form of distortion. To understand Pope Leo, you must listen to all of his teachings, not just the ones that provoke a reaction.
The Critics and Their Concerns
The comment section reveals the diversity of opinions among readers. Some support the Pope. Others are sharply critical.
One commenter, Matt, expresses frustration with the Pope’s calls for peace in the Iran war. He argues that this is a just war, comparable to the Allies fighting the Nazis. He suggests that peace without justice is mere pacifism, which he calls “a very unholy state.”
Another commenter raises concerns about the Vatican’s interfaith engagements, including a prayer room for Muslims in the Vatican Library. He questions why Christians are not allowed to set foot in Mecca while the Vatican accommodates Muslim prayer.
A third commenter, a born-again Christian, says, “Leo is not my pope.” He warns about deception in the last days and calls for discernment.
These criticisms reflect genuine concerns. They are not to be dismissed lightly. But they also reveal a misunderstanding of the Pope’s role.
The Pope’s Call for Peace
The Pope calls for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations in every conflict. This is not because he is naive about evil or indifferent to justice. It is because he has seen the horror of war up close. He has visited refugee camps. He has spoken with victims of violence. He knows that war always brings suffering, and that suffering falls heaviest on the innocent.
Does this mean the Pope is a pacifist? Not necessarily. Catholic teaching recognises the concept of just war. But it also insists that war must be a last resort, that all peaceful options must be exhausted first, and that the response must be proportionate.
When the Pope calls for peace, he is not ignoring justice. He is reminding us that peace is the goal, and that justice without peace is incomplete.
The Vatican and Interfaith Dialogue
The commenter’s concern about the Vatican’s prayer room for Muslims is understandable. The history of Christian-Muslim relations is fraught with violence, persecution, and mutual suspicion. Many Christians have died at the hands of extremists.
But interfaith dialogue is not the same as religious relativism. The Vatican is not saying that all religions are equally true. It is saying that we can respect people of other faiths without compromising our own.
Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. He talked with the Samaritan woman at the well. He healed the servant of a Roman centurion. He did not compromise His message, but He also did not isolate Himself from those who believed differently.
The prayer room in the Vatican Library is not an endorsement of Islam. It is an act of hospitality. And hospitality is a Christian virtue.
Discerning the Shepherd’s Voice
One commenter says, “I got that sense that I get when something just isn’t right.” She trusts her spiritual discernment. And she is right to do so. Every Christian is called to test the spirits and to hold fast to what is good.
But discernment requires knowledge. You cannot discern the Pope’s teaching if you only hear snippets out of context. You cannot judge his character if you only read the criticisms and not his own words.
Pope Leo XIV has said, “We need personally to experience the closeness of the Master, to know that we have been seen, loved, and chosen by the Lord by pure grace and without merit on our part.”
This is the heart of his message. This is the Gospel. This is what every Pope, from Peter to Leo XIV, has been sent to proclaim.
DECLARATIONS BASED ON THE ARTICLE
I DECLARE that the Pope is a shepherd, not a politician!
I DECLARE that papal leadership is spiritual, not military or partisan!
I DECLARE that Pope Leo XIV is centred on Christ and devoted to the poor!
I DECLARE that I will seek to understand the Pope’s teachings in their full context!
I DECLARE that calls for peace are not calls for cowardice; they are calls for the Gospel!
I DECLARE that interfaith dialogue is not religious relativism; it is Christian hospitality!
I DECLARE that the Pope’s lineage stretches back 2,000 years to St Peter!
I DECLARE that I will pray for the Pope, not attack him!
I DECLARE that truth and love must go together; neither can be sacrificed for the other!
I DECLARE that the Pope’s role is to proclaim the Gospel, not to win political victories!
PRAYER
Father, we thank You for the gift of the papacy. We thank You for the lineage of shepherds stretching back to St Peter. We thank You for Pope Leo XIV, whom You have placed in this position of spiritual leadership.
Grant him wisdom, courage, and humility. Protect him from his enemies and from the misunderstandings of his friends. Let his words be guided by the Holy Spirit, and let his actions reflect the love of Christ.
We pray for those who criticise him unfairly. Open their eyes to the truth of his mission. Soften their hearts to the Gospel he proclaims.
We pray for unity among Christians. Let us not be divided by politics or nationality. Let us be united by our common faith in Jesus Christ.
In His name. Amen.
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