This weekend marks one year since Pope Leo began his role as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming the first American cardinal elected pope.
Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Erie Catholic Diocese said the Holy Father has embraced the missionary spirit throughout his first year. According to Bishop Perisco “I think he has done very well. He certainly has the missionary spirit. He’s always going out to other places and that’s all part of his responsibilities to preach the Gospel message and it’s interesting he spends a lot of his time in the third world in Africa.”
Persico noted the pope’s active travel schedule stands in contrast to the later years of Pope Francis, whose declining health limited his mobility. As Bishop Perisco explained, “It was hard the last few years for Pope Francis to see him being pushed around in a wheelchair and even though Pope Leo is 71, he’s pretty active.”
While there are currently no plans for Pope Leo to visit the United States, Persico said he would not be surprised to see the pope continue focusing his attention on developing countries, where the Catholic population continues to grow.
“I would hope he would keep up that schedule because I think it is a boost for the people when they see the Pope,” Persico added.
Over the past year, Pope Leo has also faced growing global conflicts and international challenges. Bishop Persico said the pope has approached those issues thoughtfully and with honesty.
“As well as can be expected. He’s been very honest in his response to people. He hasn’t backed down, nor is he like a puppet to any government, but he knows his job, he knows who he is and he knows sometimes he has to preach the Gospel that people who don’t want to hear it,” said Bishop Perisco.
Persico also described Pope Leo as deliberate and reflective in his leadership style, adding that his background in canon law has shaped his approach to decision-making. As Bishop Perisco explained, “He’s a little more reflective and sometimes he would say things and do things that you weren’t sure why. But with Pope Leo he’s more deliberate. I think it’s because he’s a Canon lawyer, so he has a sharper mind.”