VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Almost one year after Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter, Pope Leo XIV is approaching his first celebration of the feast as pontiff — a moment that offers a more defining glimpse into a papacy focused on unity, peace and social justice.
While Leo’s first year has largely implied continuity with Francis, analysis of his leadership style highlights his willingness to empower clergy and delegate authority.
On Holy Thursday (April 2), which commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, Leo departed from one of Francis’ most symbolic gestures. In past years, Francis used the washing of the feet ceremony to highlight marginalized groups — including prisoners, migrants and women — underscoring his outreach to those living on the peripheries of society.
This year, though, Leo washed the feet of 12 priests from the Diocese of Rome at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. The move reflects both a return to tradition — Benedict XVI, who was succeeded by Francis, was the last pope to wash the feet of diocesan priests in Rome — but also his focus on empowering clergy and promoting a more missionary role for priests.
“The great missionaries bear witnesses to quiet, unobtrusive approaches, whose method is the sharing of life, selfless service, the renunciation of any calculated strategy, dialogue and respect,” Leo said during the Chrism Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday, as priests renewed the promises made during their ordination.
Leo’s style of governance is be …
