Three Important Guidelines For Pope Leo XIV Regarding His Passage In His First Appearance

JAKARTA - Pope Leo XIV provides three important clues as to what the leader of the 1.4 billion Catholic Church will look like, since he first appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican on Thursday.

The Pope, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost and from the United States, was elected by cardinals from around the world on the second conclave day at the Sistina Chapel to replace the late Pope Francis.

It was the first whale from Uncle Sam's country, but has dual citizenship in Peru, where it served as a missionary for decades before becoming a cardinal.

Pope Leo XIV's first clue is his choice of name. The Popes often use this option to send their first major signal about their new papal priority.

The late Pope Francis took his name from Saint Francis from Assisi in the 13th century, who rejected wealth and wanted to care for the poor.

The last Pope to use the name Leo, Leo XIII, focused most of his papal period of 1878-1903 on fighting for workers' rights, demanding fair wages, fair working conditions, and the right to join unions.

"By choosing Leo XIV's name, he showed his commitment to church social teachings," said Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit commentator who followed the paacity with care.

Pope Leo XIV's second clue is his choice of language and words he has spoken, stressing the need for peace, something Pope Francis has often focused on.

None of his speeches to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square in English, but Italian, papal language, and little Spanish to greet his former community in Peru. He did not mention the US.

"La pace is in vain con tutti voi!" (Peace be on your part!), Pope Leo XIV's first words in public, echoing the words Catholics use in their celebrations but also conveying a direct message of peace in a world full of conflict.

Before heading to a secret conclave on May 7, world cardinals issued statements lamenting the conflict "in Ukraine, the Middle East, and many other parts of the world" and delivered "full-hearted pleas" for peace.

The new Pope said he wanted to share God's peace, calling it "the stripped peace and the "lowly and persistent" peace."

Pope Leo XIV also mentioned Pope Francis, who conveyed his final blessing to the people of Rome on Easter Sunday, the day before his death.

"We still hear Pope Francis' weak voice, but always dare to be in our ears," he said.

Pope Leo XIV asked for permission to give the same blessing as the late Pope Francis used a few weeks ago, saying: "God loves us, God loves everyone, and evil will not win. We are in the hands of God."

The third clue is the choice of clothing worn by Pope Leo XIV.

Unlike Pope Francis, who rejected all papal attributes including on the first day he was elected in 2013, Pope Leo XIV wore traditional red papal clothes on his white robe.

Although Pope Leo XIV follows Pope Francis' tradition, he hints that he is a new and different Pope.