VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In 2025, the Catholic Church and the Vatican witnessed the death of Pope Francis and the election of the first pope born in the United States, Leo XIV.
While the year was marked by profound change, the new pope emphasized his intention to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics in a spirit of continuity with his predecessor. Leo has already embraced Francis’ financial, structural and spiritual reforms as well as many of his causes, such as care for the environment and the welcoming of migrants and refugees.
What the two popes don’t share is style. In his first months Leo has been more restrained and reflective than Francis, who from the start of his papacy broke with tradition in his dress and where he lived, and never shied from addressing divisions in the church. Leo has restored the practice of retreating to the papal estate at Castel Gandolfo, away from the concerns of the Roman Curia and the chaos of Rome.
On a deeper level, Leo has spent this transition year watching and listening, meeting with the prominent voices in the church to gauge their hopes and concerns, even as the Vatican and the church await the result of Leo’s reflections on whe …