An American Pope, but also Peruvian, French, Spanish, Italian. A missionary. An Augustinian. A man who has gone through cultures, continents and churches. An ancient name, Leone, which recalls reformers and courageous poppipers. A choice that has the flavor of the prophecy. Thus, a few minutes from the election to the papal throne of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Leone XIV, Monsignor Bruno Forte, theologian and archbishop of Chieti-Vastooffers us an intense and profound reading of what is happening.
«It is important that for the first time a Pope from the United States was elected. But be careful: He is a man who has spent many years among the poor of Peru, where he was also bishop. Pope Francis wanted him to lead the congregation of bishops precisely for his universal experience. And he is an Augustinian, one who knows Sant’Agostino in depth and lives his spirit ».
The new Pope, born in Chicago in 1955, pronounced the word “peace” nine times in his first Pope speech. He spoke in Italian with some uncertainty, he also turned to the faithful in Spanish, greeted his beloved Peruvian diocese of Chiclayo. In the end he recited the Ave Maria with the people in the square, asking for prayer for his ministry. And he recalled Francesco, the Pope “with a weak but always courageous voice”.
“All these elements – continues Monsignor Forte – really make a pope who expresses the universal church and, at the same time, the local churches: from Latin America to North America, from Rome – where he had lived for several years and was a professor – to the places of the world where he left his heart. He is the Pope of the global Church in the service of peace ».
The motto chosen by Leone XIV is a declaration of intent: “In ILLO UNUM”“In him we are one”. It is a verse taken from a homily of Sant’Agostino. Unity in Christ. And, for Monsignor Forte, there could be no more urgent word.
«It’s very Augustinian, isn’t it? And I think it’s also very beautiful. The unit is perhaps the thing that the world most needs. Peace arises from unity. They have chosen a man who can serve the cause of peace with trust, humility and faith ».
But why lion? It is a name that in the history of the Church never goes unnoticed. From the lion’s great century, doctor of the church and defender of Rome, up to Leo XIII, author of the Rerum novarum and father of the social doctrine of the modern Church.
«We had great popes named Leone. We think of Leone the Great, but also of Leo XIII, the Pope of the great social encyclicals. In history, the Popes that brought this name served peace and justice, were totally dedicated to the service of the people of God. It is a name that has Augustinian resonances, it is the history of the faith that returns “.
The new Pontiff – American by birth but the son of the world – represents, according to Monsignor Forte, “A happy synthesis of cultures and spirituality: son of a French and Italian father and Spanish mother, with roots in the Midwest of the United States and a heart remained in South America “.
«This too puts him in continuity with Pope Francis: mixed origins, missionary for many years in Peru, then in Rome. His mother tongue is English, but he lived for a long time speaking Spanish, and today he is also expressed in Italian. It is truly the pope of the global village. A man who can bring faith to the service of peace of whole humanity ».
AND The task that awaits him is immense. Monsignor Forte summarizes him in three levels, all linked to the key word of the new pontificate: peace.
“First: the peace of hearts. It must be the pope who announces to the world the source of true peace, which is friendship with God and the service of love towards othersthe. Second: peace in the Church. A pope who builds communion among the many souls who live in the Church, in the name of the love of Christ. And finally, peace between peoples: a pope who can be spent on world peace, with profound respect for the diversity and stories of each one ».
In St. Peter’s Square, Leone XIV’s excited voice launched an appeal: “Help us too to build bridges, with dialogue and meeting”. Words that evoke the most lively images of Francesco’s pontificate, but who already project themselves into the future. “He spoke with such serenity, with so much brightness. This was very beautiful. That the Lord helps him. Let’s pray for him».
A shepherd who comes from afar, but who has made himself close. A pope who embraces the world with the heart of Sant’Agostino. A new lion called to keep unity and build peace.
