New Pope Leo XIV Signals Continuity Amid Calls for Reform

The election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV sends a clear signal that the College of Cardinals intends to maintain the reformist trajectory set by his predecessor, Pope Francis. While Leo is known for a more reserved and disciplined demeanor compared to Francis, the conservative challenges that have unsettled Catholicism during the previous papacy are expected to persist under the first American pope.

Traditionalist factions, particularly in the United States where much opposition to Francis was concentrated, had hoped for a pontiff who would curb or even roll back reforms aimed at creating a more inclusive church—one where authority is shared and diverse voices are heard.

Central to Francis’ reform efforts is the concept of synodality, a term frequently used but often misunderstood. It involves convening church leaders and members to engage in open discussion and debate on pressing issues. For Francis, synodality meant uniting bishops, laypeople, women, and youth—including the pope himself—to speak as equals on topics once considered off-limits. Conservatives viewed this approach as a destabilizing innovation, accusing it of sowing confusion and undermining church doctrine.

In the lead-up to the conclave, conservative voices intensified their rhetoric, warning that failure to elect a pope aligned with their views—disguised behind calls for “unity” and “clarity”—could precipitate a schism. Nonetheless, the cardinals asserted their resolve not to yield to such pressures.

Upon his election, Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica and addressed the crowd with measured intent, affirming, “We want to be a synodal church.” This declaration appeared to deflate much of the opposition’s momentum. Known for his understated style and commitment to dialogue, Leo aims to bridge divides within the church. Yet, he remains resolute, and how long any reconciliation with traditionalist factions endures remains uncertain.

Though he has generally maintained a low profile, Leo has emphasized that reform remains central to his vision for the church.

In an interview with Vatican Media, he stated, “We must not hide behind an idea of authority that no longer makes sense today. The authority we hold is to serve, to accompany priests, to be pastors and teachers.”

Active on social media, Leo recently shared an article on X titled, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” His choice of papal name honors Leo XIII, whose late-19th-century teachings laid the foundation for modern Catholic social doctrine.

At the heart of ongoing tensions within Catholicism lies the question of change: what aspects of the church can evolve, how such changes should occur, and whether they threaten the core deposit of faith that unites nearly 1.4 billion adherents worldwide.

Debates over who may be ordained, preach, receive blessings, or partake in communion reflect this underlying struggle with change—or “development,” as the church prefers to term it. Historically, the church has undergone change on issues ranging from slavery and religious freedom to practices such as allowing women and girls to serve as altar servers—a role once prohibited but now commonplace.

The Catholic Church’s strong emphasis on appearing unchanging often leads to what historian Michael Seewald calls the “concealment of innovation.” Vatican statements frequently begin with “as the church has always taught,” signaling forthcoming changes. Paradoxically, change is integral to continuity. Jesuit historian John O’Malley noted, “Sometimes change is required precisely in order to remain faithful to the tradition. It has in that way been operative in the church from the beginning.”

Pope Francis did not so much alter the church himself—many progressives felt his advances on issues like women’s roles and LGBTQ inclusion were too modest—as he acknowledged existing changes and tensions. He initiated the synodality process to better align parish realities with official church teachings.

Though the synodal process is contentious and faces significant obstacles, it is designed to endure beyond any individual pontificate. At 69, Pope Leo XIV is poised for a potentially long tenure that could further institutionalize these reforms, potentially leading to a protracted struggle with Catholic conservatives.

However, this conflict is not inevitable. Esteemed orthodox thinkers, including Pope Benedict XVI, have articulated how the church undergoes reform through “continuity and discontinuity at different levels.” Conservatives might benefit from appreciating the importance of disagreement and dissent. Previously, when popes aligned with their views led the church, dissent was often equated with disloyalty. Now, confronted with leadership they oppose, conservatives face a dilemma, having defined dissent as wrong and thus viewing the pope himself as the problematic figure.

Another vital lesson for conservatives is embracing diversity. Although the term is politically charged today, for a global church as vast and multifaceted as Catholicism, diversity is essential for growth and unity. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a figure not typically associated with progressive views, emphasized recently that “the unity of the church is willed by Christ; a unity that does not mean uniformity but a firm and profound communion in diversity.”

This principle has always guided the church. As St. Paul advised the Thessalonians, “Test everything, hold fast what is good.” This approach sustained the early church and remains a powerful model for a deeply divided modern world—a global church richer than ever in its diversity, yet united in spirit and purpose.