Pope Leo XIV: geopolitical implications of the first American pontiff

On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born missionary with deep ties to Peru, was elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church.

His election, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, marks a historic shift for the Vatican, with significant geopolitical implications.

A new Pope with a global profile

Pope Leo XIV’s election breaks a long-standing taboo against an American pope, given the United States’ dominant geopolitical influence. Prevost’s dual American-Peruvian citizenship and decades of missionary work in Peru likely mitigated concerns among the 133 cardinal electors, who sought a leader capable of bridging the Global North and South. His appointment by Pope Francis in 2023 as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican role, and his elevation to cardinal in January 2025, positioned him as a continuity candidate for Francis’s progressive vision, yet his American origins introduce new dynamics.

Leo XIV’s multicultural background and diplomatic experience in Peru and the Vatican suggest an intent to project the Church as a unifying force in a polarized world. His election reflects the Catholic Church’s increasingly diverse global composition, with 1.4 billion members, and a shift away from Eurocentric leadership toward a more inclusive papacy.

Three clues to geopolitical priorities

In his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV offered three significant clues about his papacy, each with geopolitical resonance.

Choice of Name: Leo XIV
The selection of the name Leo, evoking Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903), signals a commitment to the Church’s social teachings, particularly on economic justice and workers’ rights. Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891) addressed social inequalities, opposing both socialism and unchecked capitalism, earning him the title “Pope of the Workers.” By choosing this name, Leo XIV aligns himself with advocacy for the marginalized, a stance with implications for addressing global poverty and migration—issues central to the Church’s moral authority in international debates. Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit commentator, noted, “By picking the name Leo XIV, he shows he is committed to the social teaching of the church,” suggesting a focus on economic fairness amid rising global disparities.

Geopolitically, this choice may position the Vatican as a counterweight to populist and nationalist movements, including in the United States, where economic inequality fuels political division. Posts on X speculate that Leo XIV’s election could signal concern about “the global spread of fascist authoritarianism” and the U.S.’s role in supporting such trends, though these interpretations remain speculative.

Emphasis on Peace
Leo XIV’s first words, “La pace sia con tutti voi!” (Peace be with you!), delivered in Italian and Spanish but notably not in English, underscored a universal call for peace. This focus echoes Pope Francis’s frequent appeals for dialogue in conflict zones and aligns with the cardinals’ pre-conclave statement lamenting wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond. Leo described peace as “disarmed and disarming,” emphasizing humility and perseverance, which suggests a diplomatic approach to global conflicts.

His deliberate omission of English, despite his American background, may reflect a desire to distance the papacy from U.S. geopolitical dominance, particularly under the second Trump administration, which began in January 2025. Reuters reports that Prevost, as a cardinal, criticised policies of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, indicating potential friction with U.S. leadership on issues like migration and climate change. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised Leo’s “powerful call for peace, brotherhood, and responsibility,” suggesting his message resonates with European leaders navigating their own geopolitical challenges.

Traditional Attire
Unlike Francis, who rejected ornate papal garments in 2013, Leo XIV wore the traditional red mozetta and burgundy stole, signaling a return to certain Vatican traditions. This choice may indicate an effort to unify a polarized Church, balancing Francis’s progressive reforms with appeals to conservative factions. Geopolitically, it suggests a pragmatic approach to maintaining the Church’s global influence by reinforcing its institutional identity, which could strengthen its role in diplomatic engagements with both Western and non-Western nations.

Navigating U.S. and global dynamics

Leo XIV’s American identity presents both opportunities and challenges. Some observers, as noted on social media, view his election as a symbolic “rapprochement” with the U.S., positioning it as a “New Rome” in global Catholicism. Others argue his background could be an asset in navigating a geopolitical landscape altered by Trump’s policies, particularly on migration and climate, where Francis openly clashed with U.S. leadership. President Trump congratulated Leo, calling his election a “Great Honor for our Country,” but their differing views on social issues may complicate Vatican-U.S. relations.

Within the U.S., Leo XIV faces a divided Catholic Church, with some bishops supporting Trump and others opposing his policies. An early visit to the U.S. may be a priority to foster unity, as suggested by The Guardian, reinforcing the Church’s role as a moral counterbalance to political polarization. His Peruvian ties also position him to strengthen the Church’s influence in Latin America, a region critical to Catholicism’s global future, especially on issues like poverty and environmental justice.

Sources: Reuters, U.S. News, The Guardian, Newsweek, Los Angeles Times

Caption: [Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from the USA, blesses faithfuls from the central loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, 8 May 2025. EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI]