Why We're Filled With Hope for Pope Leo XIV

God Put His Trust in a Human Leader

At birth we are given a name. This word becomes our identity. In Scripture, called “the Word,” God uses words with power to create the universe and ultimately God gives us the sacraments, which are actuated through words. It is significant in Scripture when God names something. Abram to Abraham. Jacob to Israel. And famously the Simon to the apostle Peter (or Cephas) – “Rock”

Join our chat room and explore the mystery of how God entrusts His Church into human hands. Jesus accomplishes the humanly impossible work of redemption and entrusts the continuation of that work to St. Peter: “feed my sheep” (John 21:17). God built his house (his Church) on rock: On Peter and his faith in Jesus.

We have a new pope, with a new name, Pope Leo XIV, whose mission is to shepherd and feed Jesus’ sheep. Let us reconnect with this profound reality and rediscover what it means in our lives. This chat will get you thinking about this gift in a new way. Reflect more on God’s design for the Christian life.

And join our Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. Each Sunday we read a passage of St. Francis de Sales and then gather great insights and sharing.

The Importance of a Name

Question: Why are names so important to God, and why is it so important that Simon was renamed Peter? Was this just a casual nickname?

Sherry: Regarding question 1 – names describe a person, a hint for the soul basically. I find that a name can have a vocation built in.

Rebecca: The name was / still is to some extent identified with the person.

Sherry: A name is a bridge to the other… if there is no name – it makes “communion” difficult – that’s why Moses wanted to know God's name too, I guess.

Visitation Sister: Yes, some cultures name based on attributes or achievements. And that is the case in the Bible often.

Sherry: What are the reasons for choosing a specific name? And is it given to you, or are you allowed to choose? Sorry... I meant “religious” name, not specific name.

Visitation Sister: We give a selection, and the novice mistress chooses.

Rebecca: One of our kabbalah classes way back when was about this question. Remember the burning bush. Moses’s question “who shall I say sent me?”

On This Rock…

Question: How can Peter be “the rock”? Isn’t Jesus the rock of our faith? Or at least isn’t Peter’s profession of faith “the rock upon which the church is built”? How does the idea of the pope being a “rock” help us in our faith?

Sherry: Peter is the rock – of the foundation on earth.

Lydia: So happy with Pope Leo thus far.

Visitation Sister: Yes.

Rebecca: Revelation 2:17 from memory: And to those who are victorious I will give a new name [known to that person alone]?

Sherry: Isn’t that name written on a white stone in revelation? As for the pope as a rock – I think the fact that the Catholic Church has the pope – is probably the reason why it is still so strong worldwide.

Rebecca: Peter a rock: Yes, even when he denied Jesus he was clear about his being the Messiah, the long awaited one.

Visitation Sister: With a rock of a pope, one feels safe.

Sherry: I agree, Sister. Safety also came to my mind. And I found it interesting how the world responded to the election of the new pope. Every TV station was reporting it – everyone spoke about it – even those who are not Catholic.

Lydia: Yes, mother, I feel so safe now. I have not felt safe since John Paul II. Benedict was great, but not so fatherly.

Rebecca: Leo XIV inspires hope!

Lydia: Jesus is the cornerstone of the new covenant and then Peter is the rock upon which he builds the church.

A House Built on Stone

Question: Consider the parable Jesus gave about building a house on sand versus rock (see Matthew 7:24-27). Why is it important for us to respect the authority that God himself has given to the pope and in the office of the papacy?

Sherry: It is important because we have to obey God's will about his church. And speaking about safety – when we are in the will of God. We are the safest of all scenarios.

Lydia: The pope is the vicar of Christ. In that role he has all the authority.

Rebecca: Legitimate authority — from God — keeps us on the right path to him.

Sherry: I talked to a protestant friend recently, and she had thought all her life that when it says the pope is “infallible” that it means that he is never wrong in anything. She was pleased to learn that this is not what it means.

Lydia: The thing is we cannot respect the authority when for some confusing reason a pope is not following what the church teaches. Then I think he loses his authority, and we must not accept his authority. (1 Timothy 6:3).

Sherry: Yes, there are a lot of misunderstandings out there.

Rebecca: Amen, Sherry. Safely connected to God. And, what drew many Protestants to the Catholic Church is particularly the need for an authoritative interpretation of God's will in faith and morals.

Sherry: You are right, Rebecca.

Fruit of the Earth and Work of Human Hands

Question: Why would God put such trust in humans to lead his church?

Lydia: Because he sent us the Holy Spirit.

Sherry: Well, in reality it is the Holy Spirit who is leading through humans… so there is a strong connection. But it is a good point that there is a lot of trust on God’s side to put his “body” in the hands of humans. Also, it would violate free will, I guess, if it would not be so.

Visitation Sister: One wonders how else he could have done things other than directly if he had not called humans to help.

Sherry: I cannot see another scenario either really. But I have not given it a lot of thought yet either to be honest.

Lydia: He had to have us help or we would not have free will. God does not force salvation upon us.

Anticipating Words from the New Pope

Question: Will you be anticipating with eagerness any encyclicals, letters, and speeches by the new Pope Leo XIV? What are your thoughts and feelings?

Sherry: I must say, I have not thought about any encyclicals and letters yet. I am curious how Pope Leo XIV will develop in his new office. And how the church will respond to his leadership.

Visitation Sister: I am reading all that is printed right now on the Vatican site from Pope Leo, but I would like to see what the first encyclical would be.

Sherry: I wonder if it will be something about hospitality and poverty.

Visitation Sister: It might be about AI. We will see. Maybe St Augustine??

Sherry: Oh yes, AI. That would be so interesting. I would love it if his first encyclical would be on AI.

Lydia: I also hope he stops the sheltering of Rupnick and the South American guy that Francis was protecting.

Rebecca: Francis failed in some ways in terms of clarity, clear thinking, internal consistency of his views. Mostly it seemed his heart was in the right place. I am very hopeful that Leo will right many of those wrongs. Or in neuro-speak, Francis was right brained. Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) was more left brained.

Lydia: I think he will probably be quiet for some time while he sorts things out.

Visitation Sister: But what is the most pressing need? Wars never seem to end and of course poverty. We have to wait and see and certainly pray for him.

Sherry: Totally agree.

Praying for a Good Pope

Lydia: I prayed so much that we would get a good pope. Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us. I do not think the pope can stop wars…. the people who start them do not listen to God and even if one side does, you still need the other side to also listen.

Sherry: I disagree. I think the fact that communism failed in Europe was highly linked with John Paul II.

Lydia: True. John Paul II and Regan and the fact that you could no longer keep a population isolated from true information.

Visitation Sister: Hmm, must not forget St John Paul II, he doesn’t get much mention now but today was his birthday.

Sherry: Really? How sweet of you to remember.

Visitation Sister: Same year as my dad so I remember it. I have to go now, have a good week!

If you enjoyed this article, why not join us at our Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. Join us at 7:30 p.m. ET each Sunday! We read a passage of St. Francis de Sales and then gather great insights and sharing!