“Disciples of Christ, Christ precedes us. The world needs His light…”: Thus, Leo XIV reminded the world that he is first and foremost the Vicar of Christ.
Newsdesk (09/05/2025 11:08, Gaudium Press) Obviously, an in-depth analysis of the new Pope’s greeting speech, delivered from the balcony of the Vatican Basilica, could be done better as the days go by and in a broader perspective, when he begins to exercise his governance over the universal Church. However, a first approach is always valid, as long as it is carried out with faith and good disposition.
First of all, it is important to highlight that it was not a short speech, lasting almost 10 minutes, quite thoughtful, perhaps prepared not only by the new Pontiff, who has a great deal of academic, diplomatic and pastoral knowledge, but also with the collaboration of some of his brother cardinals, whom he invited, in his own greeting, to work together.
His first words were emphatic on peace, making his own the greeting of the Risen Christ, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19), which the Master addressed to his disciples gathered in the Upper Room, and which the Pope now extended to all people, “to all peoples, to all the earth”, “the peace of the Risen Christ”. However, it is impossible not to think that this desire for peace has in view, in particular, the internal peace of the Church, which, as has been repeatedly mentioned in the General Congregations, is threatened by conflicts, divisions, communities that feel misunderstood and even wronged. His first flock is the Church, and everyone has well-founded hopes that Leo XIV will be a Pontiff who will bring about a renewed “ Pax Ecclesiae ”.
“We are all in the hands of God. Therefore, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with one another, let us go forward. Let us be disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us,” said Leo XIV, in words that may have greater application to the Savior’s own Church.
“Disciples of Christ, Christ precedes us. The world needs his light […]”. Thus, Leo XIV reminded the world that, before being a leader or a world personality of the “ influencer” type , he is the Vicar of God made Man, whose light is essential, because without it all is darkness. These words also allow us to foresee, from his own teachings, that he is anchored in the doctrine of Christ, which is not synonymous with rigidity, but rather with light, necessary especially at this time when, even within the Church, confusion and darkness reign in many environments.
A pope’s choice of name is not a mere coincidence.
It is true that Leo XIII is remembered as the Pontiff of social doctrine, of Rerum Novarum , the one who made the working class hear the voice of the One who was truly their Shepherd, far from the madness of Marxism or the heartless machinery of savage capitalism.
However, Leo XIII is also the Pope of the Aeterni Patris , which dealt with the restoration of Christian philosophy according to the doctrine of Saint Thomas Aquinas. A Pope who went so far as to state that “faith can hardly expect reason to provide it with more explanations or more arguments than those provided by the Angelic Doctor.”
Let us remember that we are now referring to a Pope XIV who holds a degree and a doctorate from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, the famous Angelicum , which counts among its illustrious former students, in recent times, Saint John Paul II.
In this sense, it is worth noting that, as he himself proclaimed in his speech, Leo XIV is the son of another great theologian, Saint Augustine of Hippo, whom some call the “founder” of Christian doctrine after the great Saint Paul, and who was widely cited by the Fathers of the Church and medieval doctors. The doctrine of grace, sin and predestination, as understood by the Church, was sculpted by the Doctor of Hippo, and it is understandable that Leo XIV is the heir to this tradition.
In short, firmness and clarity in the doctrine of fundamental principles are indispensable conditions for the promotion of peaceful unity and lasting peace.
We cannot fail to mention the visible feelings of emotion of Leo XIV on the Vatican balcony.
His words reflected the sincerity that flowed from his heart, of someone who felt his duty to shepherd everyone, to be the messenger of the Good News of Christ to all, walking “as a united Church, always seeking peace, justice, always seeking to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries.” It is noteworthy that, in the most exciting moment of his life, Leo XIV did not forget his “beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru,” the jurisdiction from which he departed to reach the heights of the Roman Curia, becoming today the new Pope of the Church.
All these sentiments, crowned with the invocation to the Madonna di Pompei , to “our Mother Mary” who “always wants to walk with us”, were followed by the recitation of the Hail Mary to the Queen Mother, whose intercession all Christians need, from the most humble servant to the Pope of the Holy Roman Church. Expressions of special devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel circulate on social networks, at whose feet, in Genazzano, several Popes have bowed to implore her help.
Finally, the Conclave came to an end.
Now Leo XIV begins to carry the heavy cross of the papacy, which is also the golden cross he used in his first announcement to the world.
It remains for us to offer him our humble prayers from the heart.
By Carlos Castro from Gaudium Press Portugese
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