Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Catholics on Both Sides in the US Anticipate New Pope Meeting Their Aspirations
  • Local news

Catholics on Both Sides in the US Anticipate New Pope Meeting Their Aspirations

    From the left and right, US Catholics hope new pope fulfills their hopes
    Up next
    Trump admin issues blunt four word threat to lawmakers who questioned ICE arrest of Newark mayor
    Trump Administration Delivers Strong Warning to Lawmakers Over ICE Arrest of Newark Mayor
    Published on 11 May 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • and,
    • Austen Ivereigh,
    • catholics,
    • Chad Pecknold,
    • Chris Smith,
    • Chris Wimbush,
    • Donald Trump,
    • Ellie Hidalgo,
    • from,
    • fulfills,
    • HOPE,
    • hopes,
    • Joe Biden,
    • left,
    • Nancy Pelosi,
    • New,
    • pope,
    • Pope Francis,
    • Pope Leo XIV,
    • Religion,
    • right,
    • Robert Strickland,
    • Salvatore Cordileone,
    • Steven Millies,
    • The,
    • their,
    • U.S. news,
    • world news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    NEW YORK – The global Catholic community is abuzz with the historic election of the first pope from the United States, Pope Leo XIV. This milestone has sparked fresh hopes among Catholics in his homeland, leading many to wonder if he can help mend the existing rifts within the Church.

    Among U.S. Catholics leaning more progressive, there is a sense of hope that Pope Leo will continue the legacy of Pope Francis by advocating for the poor and marginalized, including immigrants, while also providing a balance against the policies from the Trump era that have caused concern. Those with more conservative views maintain optimism that he will uphold traditional Catholic beliefs, such as opposing abortion, same-sex marriage, and the ordination of women.

    The source of their optimism lies in Pope Leo’s clear emphasis—reflected in his speeches and his chosen motto—on fostering unity within the worldwide church.

    “In these early days, he’s still an empty vessel,” said Steven Millies, a public theology professor at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. “Until we all get to know him better, we can pour our expectations into him.”

    Notre Dame Provost John McGreevy, a historian of Catholicism, said he was “completely stunned” after the papal announcement, having shared the conventional wisdom that a pope from the U.S. was a near-impossibility.

    But Leo “is a global Catholic citizen,” McGreevy said, citing the pontiff’s time in Peru, at the Vatican and leading an international religious order.

    “Even though he’s an American, and we’re super proud that he’s American, it’s hard to think of someone more embedded in a lot of the global church,” he said.

    What will Pope Leo’s relation with U.S. Catholics be?

    It’s too soon to tell what Leo’s relationship will be with his fellow American prelates and the broader U.S. Catholic Church, McGreevy cautioned.

    “The early indications are that there’ll be some similarities to Pope Francis,” he said – suggesting that differences with conservative U.S. bishops could continue.

    McGreevy said he expects some tension between the Vatican and the White House over immigration and climate change, two of Francis’ key priorities that are likely to be reaffirmed by Leo.

    Chad Pecknold, a professor of systematic theology at the Catholic University of America, suggested that Francis either disliked or misunderstood the United States.

    “With Leo XIV, it’s clear he not only loves America, but he even loves the White Sox,” Pecknold said via email. “That can only have a good effect, not only upon American Catholics, but also American bishops, and indeed, everyone. It’s good to feel like the pope is on your side.”

    During the latter years of Francis’ papacy, one of the most divisive issues among U.S. bishops was whether Catholic politicians who supported abortion rights — including then-President Joe Biden and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — should be barred from receiving Communion.

    Francis stressed he would not reject politicians who support abortion rights and Biden received Communion during a visit to Rome in 2021.

    San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who barred Pelosi from receiving Communion in the archdiocese, described Leo as a “bridge builder.”

    “He will be a good force for unity in the church,” Cordileone told KPIX-TV in San Francisco. “Even with differences of opinion and different ideas of strategy and so forth, we can have unity in the church.”

    U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican and outspoken abortion opponent, took heart from a homily delivered early this year by Leo when he was Cardinal Robert Prevost. The passage cited by Smith: “God’s mercy calls us to protect every life, especially those society overlooks — the child yet to be born and the elderly nearing their journey’s end — because each bears Christ’s face.”

    Smith depicted this remark as “underscoring the protection of the right to life as first among the many humanitarian responsibilities of the Church.”

    The interim president of Catholics for Choice, which supports abortion rights, acknowledged that Leo opposes abortion and said the group would send him letters from Catholics who disagree with that stance.

    “We are praying that he will be a pope guided by a commitment to peace, justice, and inclusion,” said Chris Wimbush. “The future of our church depends on greater inclusion and nuance on reproductive health decisions like abortion, contraception and IVF.”

    Women and the church

    Francis, during his papacy, took major strides to give women more senior leadership positions in the church. But he upheld the ban on female priests and tamped down hopes that women could be ordained as deacons.

    Ellie Hidalgo of Discerning Deacons, which advocates for women deacons in the church, said she hopes Leo will support the church’s ongoing review of women’s participation in ministry. A years-long Vatican process left open the contentious question of whether women should be ordained as deacons.

    Hidalgo, who lives in Miami, heard then-Cardinal Prevost speak in February when she was in Rome for a celebration of deacons.

    “He was asking deacons to be humble in their service,” Hidalgo said. “I could tell just from meeting him that that’s something he really values himself … that you are to be of service and you’re there in a posture of humility.”

    The U.S.-based Women’s Ordination Conference, which advocates for women to be accepted as priests, welcomed the inclusive tone of Leo’s initial remarks.

    “His clear emphasis on bridge-building and dialogue offer WOC hope that Pope Leo XIV might be a leader who will also build bridges to Catholic women,” the group’s statement said. It envisioned “a long-overdue day when women are recognized as equals in Christ.”

    Called on by Pope Francis

    Francis, in many ways, saw Robert Prevost as a possible successor, assigning him to positions in Peru that bolstered his global resume and later calling him to the Vatican to oversee the influential office that vets bishop nominations.

    “Francis was paying close attention to new U.S bishops,” said Millies, the public theology professor. “Prevost has been Francis’ man overseeing the careful selection of a different sort of bishop to fill important posts in the U.S.”

    Millies said the top leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops — which was sometimes at odds with Francis — remains relatively conservative.

    But in the ranks of bishops below them, “the change has already happened,” Millies said. “They are men who are more pastoral than focused on doctrine. The election of Leo means we are firmly in a different era.”

    Traditionally, the taboo against a U.S. pope reflected reluctance to give the world’s No. 1 superpower even more influence. That shouldn’t be a concern with Leo, according to Austen Ivereigh, a British-based journalist and author of two books on the Francis papacy.

    “If anybody thinks he (Leo) is going to take a different line from Francis on migration or climate change, they’re in for a surprise,” Ivereigh said. “Francis was putting into practice church teaching, and Leo will do the same.”

    There was muted reaction to Leo’s election from Bishop Robert Strickland, who was ousted by Francis in 2023 from leadership of the Diocese of Tyler in Texas. Strickland had been a fierce critic of Francis and came to symbolize the polarization within the U.S. hierarchy.

    In social media posts after Leo assumed the papacy, Strickland expressed hope that he would faithfully uphold the sacred Scriptures and traditions known as the Deposit of Faith.

    “With the heavy weight of the papacy now on his shoulders he needs our prayers,” Strickland added.

    ___

    Stanley reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists Nicole Winfield in Rome and Peter Smith in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

    ___

    Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like

    Vols’ Struggle Continues: Alabama Secures 11th Consecutive Victory in Tuscaloosa

    In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Tennessee Volunteers’ aspirations for the College Football Playoff…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    United Way of Champaign Co. receives $30,000 donation from OSF staff
    • Local news

    OSF Staff Contributes $30,000 to United Way of Champaign County

    In a generous act of community support, the team at OSF Heart…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    House panel releases new Epstein documents
    • Local news

    New Documents on Epstein Unveiled by House Panel: What You Need to Know

    The House Oversight Committee has unveiled new documents related to the criminal…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    Champaign Co. EMA receives grant for technology upgrades
    • Local news

    Champaign Co. EMA Secures Major Grant for Cutting-Edge Technology Enhancements

    URBANA, Ill. — The Champaign County Emergency Management Agency is set to…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    I-5 freeway to temporarily shut down for live fire exercise at Camp Pendleton
    • Local news

    Temporary Closure of I-5 for Live Fire Drills at Camp Pendleton

    In CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., a portion of Interstate 5 is set to…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Rain approaches with front late Sunday
    • Local news

    Weekend Weather Alert: Late Sunday Rain Front Set to Impact Regions

    The remainder of your Saturday promises to be pleasant, with mostly clear…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    Ukrainian sketches inspire wedding dresses from CSRA, Charlotte designers
    • Local news

    Ukrainian-Inspired Sketches Transform Wedding Fashion: CSRA and Charlotte Designers Unveil Unique Bridal Creations

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. () — A unique global collaboration is set to infuse…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025

    ETSU Football Narrowly Defeated by Chattanooga in 42-38 Showdown

    CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WJHL) — In a thrilling showdown, the East Tennessee State…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025

    Limp Bizkit’s Sam Rivers Passes Away at Age 48

    Sam Rivers, the bassist and a founding member of the rock band…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    Trump immigration crackdown may eliminate 15M workers by 2035: Study
    • Local news

    Study Reveals Trump’s Immigration Policies Could Slash 15 Million Workers by 2035 – Economic Impact Looms

    A recent study unveiled on Friday forecasts that President Trump’s immigration policies…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Thousands rally at "No Kings" protest in Urbana
    • Local news

    Massive Turnout at Urbana’s “No Kings” Protest Draws Thousands

    A protest against President Donald Trump’s administration unfolded on Saturday at the…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    St. Pete shelter in need of new van after crash with 17 animals onboard
    • Local news

    St. Pete Animal Shelter Seeks Urgent Help After Van Crash with 17 Pets Onboard

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A local animal shelter is urgently seeking…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    Must-have in homes of super rich that aims to make you live longer
    • News

    Essential Home Feature for the Ultra-Wealthy Promises Longevity Boost

    A father and daughter have introduced a captivating trend among New York’s…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    Missing Perth woman Michelle Leahy
    • AU

    Husband of Missing Perth Woman Issues Heartfelt Appeal for Her Safe Return

    A WA family is desperately searching for answers after a much-loved mother…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    BTK killer's daughter calls him 'subhuman' after final prison confrontation ends relationship
    • US

    BTK Killer’s Daughter Denounces Father as ‘Subhuman’ in Emotional Final Prison Visit

    Almost two decades after Dennis Rader was incarcerated, his daughter, Kerri Rawson,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    Sailor who tried to stop fight between wives shot dead
    • Crime

    Tragic Incident: Sailor Fatally Shot While Attempting to Mediate Dispute Between Spouses

    Left: Nildaliz Arline Flores-Roman (Norfolk police). Right: Katrina Anderson (Joshua…
    • Internewscast
    • October 19, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.