Unlike previous papacies, the recent papal election caught my attention.
Generally speaking, Roman Catholics are Christians, but many Christians are not Catholic. I’m not Catholic by any measure of some of the Catholic beliefs; I’m a Christian.
Like many Americans, I am a Christian taking note of the new Pope, whose election is historical. His being American and the first American Pope in the Roman Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history is significant.
An American being elected as Pope does not happen by chance.
God does great and merciful things that many dismiss or consider small.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago native, was elected Pope for such a time as this in America and the world.
Pope Leo XIV’s message of love is for America, a divided and polarized nation, and the world.
The commandment about love remains today as the one given in the beginning and by Christ. Any professed love that is not Christ-like is not love.
What about the love that Vice President J. D. Vance described?
According to social media and various other media outlets, on January 29, 2025, Vice President J.D. Vance made a statement about Christian love on Fox News. President Vance described a Christian concept whereby one should prioritize love: family, neighbor, community, fellow citizens, and then consider the rest of the world.
The people at the bottom of this hierarchy receive the least love. The people at the top receive the most love.
Even before becoming the Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost righted this seemingly political statement that U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, a Catholic, made about love.
While he was a Cardinal, Pope Leo XIV called out Vice President J.D. Vance and said, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Who ranks love? Love is neither ranked nor divided up.
Love is not equal to the sum of its parts. Love is not a pie to be served in halves, quarters, thirds, fifths, divided, or divvied up in any manner. Love is not watered down. There is such a thing as 2 % milk, but not love.
There is no top-down approach to love.
In Luke 10:27 (KJV), Jesus says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thyself.”
Love is ALL or none!
I am hopeful for the Pope’s leadership in humility, love, and vocal messages against the politicization of biblical beliefs and Christ’s teachings.
Cardinal Robert Prevoke chose Pope Leo’s lineage and name and is Pope Leo XIV. Following 13 popes in this lineage and leadership, Pope Leo XIV is destined to be a great advocate and example of humility and love.
America needs more vocal religious advocates for racial and ethnic equality, regardless of race or ethnicity, color, education, zip code, religion, sexual orientation, and other dividing labels.
Who will call wrong, wrong, even if it comes from the bully pulpit? I’m hopeful that the Pope will.
Pope Leo XIV, thank you for paying attention and speaking truth to power and the world.
The Bible teaches us that Jesus is no respecter of person. Jesus loves everyone, and he died for the sins of the world.
How can one love God and hate their neighbor?
God bless Pope XIV.