Leo XIV is a pope for these times

The two astounding comeback wins posted this week by the New York Knicks should have been taken as a sign from the Holy Spirit that the new pope would be from Villanova University.

For basketball fans, the victories fueled by Villanova grads Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges were amazing for New Yorkers. But those triumphs paled in world significance to the stunning ascension of Cardinal Robert Prevost to the papacy, the first American pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. All the more remarkable is that his election comes amid America's newly fraught relationship with much of the rest of the world.

The cardinals who quickly chose the man who took the name Leo XIV certainly had more on their minds than his nationality and whatever that might signify for better or for worse. They were well acquainted with his biography and his reputation, both of which bode well for his ability to answer the call to guide the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, and to use the soft power of the papacy to address many of the physical and spiritual ills that afflict humanity.

Leo XIV's first remarks from that balcony in the Vatican were encouraging. He talked about building bridges, beginning dialogues, and always being "open to receive." He spoke of walking together, emphasized the importance of being a missionary church that reaches out to those less fortunate, and proclaimed the need to always seek "to be close especially to those who suffer." All were important messages for a confrontational and self-centered world. His ability to speak five languages, his proclivity for listening, and his inclination to bring disparate people together will well serve him, his church, and people everywhere, especially in his native country.

Though he has lived some two-thirds of his life in South America and Europe, the Chicago-born Leo XIV's concern for people who live on the margins and his work on achieving freedom, justice and opportunity for all reflect the classic values of his homeland — and augur well for the likelihood he will continue the legacy of reform established by Pope Francis. Like his predecessor, Leo believes the church should be more inclusive and participatory; we hope that embrace includes finally welcoming women to be ordained as deacons, as a start.

A new pope sends a signal by the name he chooses and that is true again for this transition. Pope Leo XIII was known as the "Pope of the Workers," having written about the dignity of work and the rights of workers. Leo XIV has positioned himself in that tradition, an important and needed signal for a time when workers are exploited. 

Popes can have great influence on world events. But papacies also are shaped by their times. Success is found in that mix of forces. With his message of unity and inclusion, we hope Pope Leo XIV meets his moment.