A New Face at the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, was formally installed today in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the traditional Vatican spectacle played out with all the usual pomp and circumstance. The event drew thousands to Vatican City, where the first American-born pope addressed the crowd with a traditional message of unity and peace, but said very little about the need for biblical truth (New Yorker).
The Good and the Bad
Prevost, a native of Chicago, brings a global perspective to the Vatican, having spent decades as a missionary in Peru. His dual citizenship in the United States and Peru reflects his deep ties to both nations (El País).
Some conservative Catholics view his election as a potential shift away from the more progressive stances of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Unlike Francis, who suggested rethinking traditional teachings on same-sex unions, Pope Leo XIV has maintained the Vatican’s official stance against same-sex marriage (Wall Street Journal).
However, his softened rhetoric toward LGBTQ+ communities has raised concerns. While he has not endorsed same-sex unions, his willingness to engage in dialogue with inclusive congregations is seen by some as a step toward compromise (Wall Street Journal).
Pope Leo XIV has also expressed criticism of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, aligning himself with the globalist agenda and more progressive views on entitlement and social justice (El País).
Unresolved Theological Issues
At the core however, no matter how many times the Vatican replaces their pope, the deep theological divisions persist. Catholic doctrine remains entrenched in practices that blatantly contradict the Jesus-centered concept of sola Scriptura (Scripture alone as the final authority in matters of faith). Instead of adhering to the simplicity of the gospel, Catholics are taught to pray to dead saints, elevate Mary as co-redemptrix—a title suggesting she is somehow on par with Christ Jesus—and participate in sacraments that imply human effort plays a role in salvation. Meanwhile, priests and even the pope himself are addressed as “Father” and “Holy Father,” despite Jesus’ explicit command: “And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). The list of deviations from the clear teachings of the Bible goes on and on.
A Papacy Without Reform
Pope Leo XIV may present a more tempered version of the papacy, but until the Vatican abandons its unbiblical teachings and proclaims salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ alone, it remains a compromised institution—clinging to tradition rather than the unchanging Word of God.
