This Good Shepherd Sunday marks the interregnum anniversary when we were without a pontiff.  Pope Francis died the morning after Easter Sunday (April 21) while the college of cardinals gathered soon thereafter to elect his successor, Pope Leo XIV (May 8).  Francis was the first pope from the Americas and Leo is the first to come from the United States.  Most who’re reading this never thought we would see either of these realities when 250 or so of their predecessors were European (three were from Africa and seven or eight from the Middle East, while 217 were from modern-day Italy). 

Francis and Leo share numerous pastoral characteristics that include humility and a missionary spirit that allowed them to embrace a synodal style which reflects their years of service in the Latin American church and challenges hierarchical, bureaucratic, and clerical traditions.  They are rooted in the church’s base message, illustrated in the life of Jesus and carried out by the way they live and treat others more than how they proclaim dogma or preach doctrine.  Unlike popes before them, they engage in our fast-paced digital age in which technology constantly expands and explodes as social media violates many measures of morality and manners.

Francis chose his name in honor of the thirteenth century Saint of Assisi who stood in solidarity with the poor while exuding serenity, joy, and a connection to all creation as a means to rebuild the church.  Saint Francis’ confessor and favorite member of the Friars Minor was a priest called Brother Leo.  There is something beautiful in that Pope Francis (Jorge Bergolia) had a similar blessed friendship with Bishop Robert Prevost, who later took the name Leo.  The last pope to bear that name (Leo XIII) was a huge advocate for social justice, human dignity, and promoting the common good, especially through care for workers and ethical business practices.  Francis and Leo XIV certainly advanced that message of good economy and attention to downtrodden people in their outreach to those who struggle to get by each day.

As a Jesuit, Pope Francis also carried the spirit of the sanctified Spanish missionary, Francis Xavier, who brought the faith to faraway lands.  Leo continues his trek to visit poverty-stricken nations and lift up forgotten lands.  They also imitate the Italian female saint, Frances Cabrini, who is the patron of immigrants, as well as Francis DeSales whose gentle approach and deep faith influenced many in seventeenth century France to find a more spiritual, welcoming, and encouraging church than they had previously known.  There are many other saints named Francis or Leo, but it is interesting to me how these modern popes revive the charism of these who are well known to history.

None of the prior Leos or Francises could have imagined the kind of world with which 21^st Century popes contend: how issues of morality get highly politicized, or how politicians reject moral guidance, or how modern-day Pharisees critique and condemn them as their ancient predecessors critiqued and condemned Christ, or how tens of thousands of Christian denominations have splintered from one another.  Leo’s motto, “In Illo Uno Unum,” (Oneness in the One) suggests, as do his actions during his first year in the seat of Peter, that he will work for unity so that we become one with the Prince of Peace. As Catholics, let us do our part to advance the message of the Risen Christ and unite with His vicar. 

Though seventeen days without a pope last year at this time, we were never like sheep without a shepherd, for Christ was, is, and always will be leading us.  As we recall Pope Francis with a smile of gratitude for his goodness, let us follow his successor, Leo, who now leads us in Jesus to an even deeper understanding of mission and ministry in these challenging times.