From the Pulpit: Habemus Papam
What on earth does “habemus papam” mean? This past April, one of our world faith leaders, Pope Francis, passed away after serving for 12 years in his role as head of the Catholic Church. For those who follow the Catholic tradition, the Pope plays a significant role as the leader of the Church, but to the wider world community, he serves as a person who can provide solid moral guidance and direction.
Pope Francis sought to be a leader who brought people of all religious backgrounds together and found ways that we can work together to build a world of peace and love. One of my favorite topics that Pope Francis frequently addressed was that of mercy. Our God is merciful; He is mercy! Just as we are made in the image and likeness of God, we too are called to be merciful and show mercy within the world.
He was quoted once saying, “A bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” That is a theme for all Christians and even people of different faith traditions who seek to ensure a better world. With the death of Pope Francis, his voice for all peoples could be missed. Messages from around the world that crossed every nation, creed and language, rushed in to remember the impact he had on all peoples. The Nigerian President, a Muslim, stated, “He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home — this Earth — is a gift we must protect for future generations.”
King Charles II, leader of the Church of England, stated that Francis would be “remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith.” The Catholic Church and the world now looked for a new voice that could provide for this void. The same would apply for other faith leaders who lead large congregations throughout the world as their voices too are needed on the world stage.
Habemus Papam were the words pronounced when the College of Cardinals guided by the Holy Spirit named a new Pope on May 8, 2025, and one that was not expected – an American Pope from Chicago … and not a Cubs fan! I had been asked many times, “Would there ever be an American Pope?” My answer was always - NEVER! When they initially announced Robert Francis Provost as the newly elected Pope and that he was from America, I thought for sure it must be South America, not the United States.
Why never an American Pope? Not because we don’t have good candidates, but because of the U.S. being a superpower, a first-world nation, an economic success, and there is often a general attitude throughout the world that the United States is too powerful in all areas.
Once chosen, the newly elected Pope takes on a new name, usually one that builds off of the legacy of a predecessor who previously held the office. Robert Provost chose Leo XIV. Do we know exactly why the name, Leo? No, it has not been revealed yet but could very well be building upon the legacy of Leo XIII who most say was “one of the most intellectually formidable and socially conscious popes of modern history.”
In 1891 Leo XIII authored a document which tackled topics such as labor rights, capitalism, socialism, and the role of the Church in the modern economic life. In doing so he attempted to confront head-on contemporary realities and to continue to reform the Church. These are topics that cross all social barriers and still concern the people of our nation and even our local community. Pope Leo XIV will hopefully be a voice that can speak for all those who love Christ and in a particular way be a voice for Americans.
Habemus Papam – We have a Pope, an American Pope and a White Sox fan, to be another voice for all peoples of the world.
