Charlie Carpio Bardaje

We have a Pope! A missionary pope! On the 8th of May 2025, the Church welcomed its 267th pontiff. Shortly after the white smoke came out from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where world cardinals gathered for a secret conclave to elect the new pope, thousands of people rushed towards St. Peter’s Square to see who is the new pope. All eyes and cameras pointed to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, everyone wanted to see who’s the new pope. Balcony’s doors open and it was announced Habemus Papam: Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops is the Pope and has chosen to bear the name Leo XIV.

First impression lasts, as they say. Pope’s first appearance is crucial since this will signal the world through his name choice, language, gestures and symbols what kind of pontificate he will offer the Church. This time, many people in the crowd were anxious on how the next pope will present himself, will he be like Pope Benedict XVI or he will be like Pope Francis?

Pope Leo XIV’s first appearance and Urbi et Orbi in the balcony are geared with powerful symbols and gestures. In his 17-minutes first appearance in the balcony, the new pope has delivered a clear message and a clear image of who Pope Leo XIV is.

THE NAME IS LEO

The choice of name is one of the pope’s major signals, experts says. The name that a pope carries signals his priorities in his pontificate. Cardinal Prevost chose the name Leo, in reference to Pope Leo XIII who had one of the longest pontificate in history and characterized by his strong adherence to social justice and reforms that promoted rights of workers and fair pay. By choosing this name, the new Pope gives the Church a hint that Pope Leo XIV’s papacy and work would focus on social issues. Pope Leo served before as a missionary to Peru, in latin America where liberation theology is very much strong. Like Francis, he may defend the least, the lost and the lost in the unjust social structures.

THE CALL FOR PEACE

The Pope has a mission and he invites the whole Church to join him. His first words were “Peace be with you!” The same words Jesus used to greet his disciples after His resurrection. In his first urbi et orbi he mentioned the word peace 10 times. Pope Leo XIV roars and it echoes powerfully. He calls for peace and reminds everyone the urgency to construct peace in the world. For the past years and wars in different parts of the world are escalating and the new Pope calls for healing and peace. In this way, he built a strong connection with Francis by quoting his constant invitation for all to be men and women of peace.

AUGUSTINIAN ROLE

Pope Leo XIV, during his speech, said “I am a son of St. Augustine, an augustinian!” recognizing his religious roots. Pope Leo XIV is the first pope coming from the Order of St. Augustine where he served as a Prior General for two consecutive terms from 2001 to 2013. His Augustinian character is very much present in his language, gestures and symbols such as the motto “In Illo uno unam” words pronounced by Saint Augustine in his exposition of the Psalm 127 in his sermons. It is translated as “In the One, we are one.” The logo of the Order of St. Augustine is also present in his coat of Arms. Pope Leo, like Francis, brings to their pontificate their religious family roots, including its mission and spirituality. Pope Leo also quoted St. Augustine when he said, “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop!”

MISSION IN PERU

Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost’s is from Chicago, Illinois, which makes him the first Pontiff from the United States of America. When his name was announced, he was immediately identified to be the first American pope in history. Yet, in his first speech, he did not give any reference to his American roots nor spoke any word in English. He, however, he greeted in Spanish, the people of Peru, especially, his dearly beloved Diocese of Chiclayo where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023 before coming to Rome, as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. Pope Leo XIV served as Bishop in the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023. And by recognizing his missionary experience in Peru, he presented himself as a missionary pope. Although the world coined him as the first American pope, he clearly wanted to be known as a Missionary from Peru.

Pope Leo XIV’s missionary background in Peru, as a priest and a pastor will definitely give unique attribute to his papacy and ministry. In his first urbi et orbi, he blesses the world with a missionary face. He let the world knows he has been into mission and is called for a greater mission as he assume the role as the new Pontiff of the Church. As he begins his pontificate, the world is watching his first steps. The Church and the world are eager to see how a missionary pope would lead the Church and how his missionary background will give a unique face to the Church in the coming years.