️ One year after his election, Pope Leo XIV has emerged as a key counterpart to US President Donald Trump. However, his intended direction for the Catholic Church remains unclear, with no major doctrinal documents issued yet.

️ Leo XIV wears more traditional vestments than his predecessor and resides in the Apostolic Palace. He also uses the summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Church historian Jörg Ernesti notes that it is "open where this pope's theological journey is heading."

️ From the start, Leo emphasized peace, calling for "unarmed and disarming, humble and persistent" peace. This theme gained weight amid US military interventions in Venezuela, threats against Cuba and Greenland, and the war with Iran.

️ During the Iran war, Trump threatened to "destroy a whole civilization." The pope called this "truly unacceptable" and warned against "fantasies of omnipotence." Trump retaliated by calling the pope "politically very left" and "terrible." Ernesti called this unprecedented: "No one has ever spoken so disparagingly about a pope. Not Hitler, not Mussolini, not Napoleon."

️ US Vice President JD Vance urged the pope to "be careful" on theology, suggesting the Vatican "stick to matters of morality." Vance later softened his tone. Leo responded with composure, pointing to his office's responsibilities.

️ Leo XIV has prioritized Africa, undertaking an 11-day trip to four African countries in April 2026—more time than Benedict XVI spent there in his entire pontificate. Ernesti notes that Africa's Catholic Church is growing 3% annually, while Europe stagnates.

️ After the clash with Trump, Leo is unlikely to visit the US while Trump is in office. On July 4, as Americans celebrate independence, Leo will be on Lampedusa, a symbol of refugee suffering. His upcoming visit to Spain includes stops in the Canary Islands to highlight migration issues.

Source: www.dw.com