The recent election of Pope Leo XIV, born as Robert Prevost, has roused the attention of many around the world, including those who don’t identify as religious.
“Our new pope has aura” read one comment on a Tik Tok video about the newly elected pope.
“I’m an atheist and I started liking this guy” wrote another user.
And with tens of thousands of spectators gathered in front of the Vatican with social media posts, reporters’ notebooks and vlogging cameras in hand awaiting the Conclave’s decision, Pope Leo XIV already has gone viral.
“I’m an atheist and I started liking this guy.”
As the first-ever pope born in the United States, Leo has especially garnered attention among U.S. spectators. While the number of religious folks in the country has consistently dropped over the past couple of decades, it seems the Conclave revealed an underlying interest in religion — even among the nonreligious.
The religiously unaffiliated
According to Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Survey published earlier this year, 29% of Americans identify as religiously unaffiliated. That’s almost double the amount it was in 2007.
But they are not entirely unreligious. The survey found 57% of “religiously unaffiliated” folks believe in “something spiritual beyond the natural world.” This is consistent with the findings of other research in the field. Many who don’t identify with institutionalized religion still have an interest in exploring their spirituality.
And the trending posts about Pope Leo XIV currently circulating all over social media are evidence of this spiritual curiosity.
But what about a new pope — arguably one of the most historically institutionalized roles in modern Christian history — is drawing religiously unaffiliated folks into the world of faith? Perhaps we could look to American Christian nationalism for answers.
It seems many spectators who are no longer religious due to a disdain of American Christian nationalist sentiments are finding Pope Leo XIV’s election process refreshing, juxtaposing his moderate disposition to the extreme one of the polarized Religious Right.
Juxtaposing Christian nationalism
Many users on social media have openly criticized Pope Leo for various reasons and certainly don’t view the new pope as a perfect person who could do no harm. However, many American spectators do see him as a person who could grow into the role as a positive influence against American Christian nationalism. They seem to be cautiously hopeful about this new leader.
Particularly, some users think the Conclave election process has been a much-needed reminder for American spectators to see how faith and spirituality can be used in nonhateful ways.
For instance, one non-Catholic user said Pope Leo XIV’s humble disposition gives her “pride as an American I haven’t felt in a minute.”
Another user who identifies as a “leftist Catholic” said she hopes the new pope’s willingness to disagree with the Trump administration could “help turn the tide of the global trends toward fascism and extremism.”
Like this user, many point to previous tweets the pope has shared criticizing U.S. Vice President JD Vance, making it clear the two Catholics have some theological disagreements. His personal account no longer exists on X, but a multitude of screenshots have been posted of his earlier posts and reposts.
“Perhaps, very slowly, there is a change. Perhaps redemption is possible.”
Others point out his quickness to call for a cease-fire in Gaza, Ukraine and other war-ridden countries during his Mother’s Day address as a sign he is not afraid to use his position of power to fight for the most vulnerable and will stray away from temptations to garner unnecessary influence or control.
Considering his calls for cease-fires across the world, one user finds herself “reevaluating my view of the RCC for the first time in decades. Perhaps, very slowly, there is a change. Perhaps redemption is possible.”
Overall, it seems Americans are looking to the Conclave election process as an alternative to spirituality compared to our country’s current abuses of Christianity in the political sphere. Perhaps the “aura” American users are noticing on Pope Leo XIV represents the growing desire for leaders who love and care for their people, especially the marginalized. Leaders who do not gaslight, lie, cheat and abuse their power for their own benefit while others suffer.
Perhaps Pope Leo XIV’s election is reminding Americans that what is happening with Christianity in the U.S. political sphere is abnormal, unhealthy and anti-gospel. That religion does not have to be abusive, power-hungry and hateful, because Christianity and its leaders ought to be none of those things.
Sketchy track record?
All this positive attention aside, it’s still important to note the new pope doesn’t have the most progressive track record out there. And stories from his past tell a juxtaposing narrative about his stances on issues like LGBTQ inclusion and sexual abuse response. So, while we can hope for a papacy that is kind, inclusive and social-justice oriented, we ought not to idolize Pope Leo XIV as an individual.
Notably, Leo XIV is not supportive of the LGBTQ community’s “homosexual lifestyle” (his language). In a 2012 address, he said they are “at odds with the gospel” and described them as making “anti-Christian lifestyle choices.”
“It’s still important to note the new pope doesn’t have the most progressive track record out there.”
Although, in light of his predecessor’s thoughts on the issue, he already has made some vague public statements promoting a more neutral disposition toward LGBTQ Catholics (still referring to sexuality as a “lifestyle”).
“There’s been a development in the sense of the need for the church to be open and be welcoming,” he remarked. While LGBTQ Catholics are disappointed in his lack of affirmation, some remain hopeful he might be open to a more inclusive church in the future.
Additionally, and more seriously, critics point to an allegedly sketchy track record on the sexual abuse response front. Since his election, a suspicious story has been circulating about his mishandling of sexual abuse accusations in Chicago in 2000 and Peru in 2022.
Allegedly, he failed to properly investigate or respond to abuse accusations against priests under his authority. In fact, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests has filed a complaint against him and other relevant church leaders with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
In the earlier case, a known child sexual abuser was allowed to reside at a friary near an elementary school from 2000 to 2002. The Archdiocese of Chicago “erroneously claimed the friary was not in the vicinity of a school,” despite the two institutions being closely connected.
In the more recent case, three women disclosed experiences of sexual abuse against multiple priests to Prevost, who was a bishop at the time, dating back to 1997. However, they claim he “failed to open a preliminary investigation, notify civil authorities, or properly restrict the priests from ministry.”
The SNAP letter explains, “In our opinion, this conduct of Cardinal Prevost stands as an abuse of ecclesiastical power, office or function that has harmed the vulnerable and caused scandal.”
Yet, some who are skeptical of these stories believe he might be a great person to ensure investigations like this are carried out properly, due to his knowledge of the law. Leo XIV holds a doctorate in Catholic canon law and has taught the subject as a professor. In fact, Pedro Salinas, a founding member of Ending Clergy Abuse, said Prevost “played a decisive role” in sexual abuse cases as the Bishop of Chiclayo, and “stood when others didn’t.”
In light of this resurfaced and juxtaposing information, many wonder how he will respond to abuse cases and other instances of misconduct or injustice that will come across his desk in his new position. Will he be responsible, or will we see more scandals?
Overall, it seems Pope Leo VIX’s new “aura” has been enough to impress audiences in the early days of his leadership. But will it be enough to continue spreading hope? Only time will tell.
Mallory Challis is a summer staff writer for Baptist News Global. She is a student at Wake Forest University School of Divinity and is a former Clemons Fellow with BNG.
Related articles:
Who’s suspicious of the new pope? MAGA | Analysis by Rodney Kennedy
As the white smoke dissipates, Leo XIV isn’t exactly Francis 2.0 | Opinion by Basil Dannebohm