Monday, May 26, 2025

This Week in Religion - Francis’ legacy for Leo

Lead story

A man walks past an outdoor mural showing several figures, including one in a black priest's robe.

Editor's note:

Since the moment Pope Leo XIV walked onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, people around the world have wondered how much his views will mirror those of Pope Francis. Both men served the church in Latin America – roots that may strongly shape their papacies.

Over the past half-century, many Catholic leaders and activists on the continent emphasized justice and peace as essential parts of their faith, speaking up about the need to reduce repression, poverty and violence. At a time of military dictatorships, many of them paid with their lives, including Bishop Enrique Angelelli in Argentina and St. Oscar Romero in El Salvador.

Francis’ pontificate recognized several of these Christians as martyrs, and advanced their causes for sainthood. His own view of the global church – one that stands in solidarity with people on the margins – was partially inspired by their example, argues theologian Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo. With Francis’ legacy looming over Leo, time will tell if he follows in the first Latin American pope’s footsteps, she writes.

A banner with a headshot of Molly Jackson and text that says, "Molly Jackson, Religion and Ethics Editor, The Conversation U.S."
 

Religion News

Inside the conclave: How the Americas paved the way to Pope Leo XIV

A quiet alliance between North and South American cardinals helped elect the first US-born pope. By Claire Giangravé/Religion News Service

At Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass and beyond, Jewish leaders show hope in Jewish-Catholic relations

Prominent Jews got front seats at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass and met with him to discuss interreligious dialogue. Many Jewish leaders had a strained relationship with Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, and now hope for improved Catholic-Jewish relations under the first U.S.-born pontiff. By Giovanna Dell’Orto/The Associated Press

Faith-based groups are weighing whether to help the US government resettle Afrikaners after it shut down refugee resettlement for all others. By Yonat Shimron/Religion News Service

President Trump sits at a desk during a National Day of Prayer event. He is surrounded by many people.

Critics say Trump's religion agenda will benefit conservative Christians the most 

President Donald Trump's establishment of a White House Faith Office, a Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias and a Religious Liberty Commission has raised cheers from his base of conservative Christian supporters. But others, including some Christians, are alarmed by Trump's actions. By Peter Smith/The Associated Press

In Syria, a Shiite shrine and community navigate a changed landscape 

During Syria’s civil war, protecting the revered Sayyida Zeinab shrine was a rallying cry for some Shiite fighters backing then-President Bashar Assad. With Assad now ousted and former rebels in charge, Syria’s small Shiite community is navigating an altered political landscape. By Mariam Fam/The Associated Press 

 

Commentary and Analysis

The 1798 rebellion aimed at creating a secular state with equal rights regardless of religion. By Joseph Patrick Kelly for The Conversation

The real reason many Black Christians reject the movie ‘Sinners’ is that they’ve adopted the beliefs of their oppressors, not orthodoxy. By Andre Henry/Religion News Service

In choosing his motto and coat of arms, Leo references the Order of St. Augustine, to which he belongs. He uses the identifying symbol of Augustine, a heart pierced by an arrow. By Virginia Raguin for The Conversation

The sporting world mourned the death of Francis − a lifelong soccer fan. The new pope is more of a baseball guy. By Carmen Nanko-Fernández for The Conversation

 
An overhead view of a church that was damaged by a severe storm.

Redeemer Lutheran Church is damaged on Sunday, May 18, 2025, along Highway 27 in Somerset, Ky., after a severe storm passed through the area. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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