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yesterday

Pope Leo XIV Begins Papacy with Focus on Social Justice, AI, and Church Accountability

The first American pontiff pledges to continue Pope Francis’s reformist agenda while addressing modern challenges and denying abuse cover-up allegations.

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Pope Leo XIV addressed cardinals two days after being elected the 267th leader of the Catholic Church
Robert Prevost, left, and his brothers John and Louis pose for a photo with their mother in this undated photo.

Overview

  • Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first U.S.-born leader of the Catholic Church, elected on the fourth conclave ballot with over 100 votes.
  • In his first formal audience, he emphasized continuity with Pope Francis’s priorities, including inclusivity, social justice, and attention to marginalized communities.
  • Leo XIV highlighted artificial intelligence as a critical challenge, drawing parallels to Pope Leo XIII’s advocacy for workers’ rights during the industrial revolution.
  • The Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) filed a formal complaint accusing Leo XIV of covering up sexual abuse, which he has denied.
  • Leo XIV inherits a packed agenda, including the 2025 Holy Year, the extended Synod on Synodality, and ongoing efforts for Vatican governance and financial reform.