Leo XIV vows to ‘continue’ Francis’ ‘prophetic vision’ for the Church

[Stone]

Leo XIV vows to ‘continue’ Francis’ ‘prophetic vision’ for the Church
In his first major interview, Pope Leo XIV stressed his intention to build directly on Francis’s legacy.



Pope Leo XIV smiles to the audience as he arrives in the Popemobile ahead of the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St Peter's Square on May 18, 2025, in Vatican City
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Sep 18, 2025
(LifeSiteNews [slightly adapted, not all hyperlinks from original included below]) — In his first extended interview since his election, Pope Leo XIV repeatedly positioned himself as the inheritor of Francis’s program, stressing continuity on synodality, women’s roles, ecumenism, curial reform, and liturgical disputes.

Speaking to Crux correspondent Elise Ann Allen for a forthcoming biography, Leo said his years in Peru deepened his connection to Francis’ outlook.

I believe (the time in Peru) was significant in both my connection with Pope Francis, my understanding of some of the vision that Pope Francis had for the Church, and how we can continue to carry that on in terms of a true prophetic vision for the Church today and tomorrow.

On synodality, he was explicit that the “process that began long before the last synod” must continue.

“I think there’s great hope if we can continue to build on the experience of the past couple years and find ways of being Church together,” he said.

Leo also tied his approach on women in the Church directly to Francis: “I hope to continue in the footsteps of Francis, including in appointing women to some leadership roles at different levels in the Church’s life.” Appearing to allude to the open study of the ordination of women to the diaconate, he said:

I am certainly willing to continue to listen to people. There are these study groups; the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which has responsibility for some of those questions, they continue to examine the theological background, history, of some of those questions, and we’ll walk with that and see what comes.

On one count, he distanced himself from Francis. Referring to “LGBTQ questions” as “highly polarizing,” stating that he is “trying not to polarize or promote polarization in the Church.” However, even here, he positioned himself as continuing Francis’ legacy:

I’ve already spoken about marriage, as did Pope Francis when he was pope, about a family being a man and a woman in solemn commitment, blessed in the sacrament of marriage.

The Pope had negative comments about the implementation of Fiducia Supplicans while affirming the document itself. He also aligned himself with Francis’ approach:

What I’m trying to say is what Francis said very clearly when he would say, “todos, todos, todos.” Everyone’s invited in, but I don’t invite a person in because they are or are not of any specific identity. I invite a person in because they are a son or daughter of God. You’re all welcome, and let’s get to know one another and respect one another.

When addressing the question of whether teaching on homosexuality could change, Leo’s language strongly implied that it could change in principle, but would not do so for now:

People want the church doctrine to change, want attitudes to change. I think we have to change attitudes before we even think about changing what the Church says about any given question. I find it highly unlikely, certainly in the near future, that the church’s doctrine in terms of what the church teaches about sexuality, what the Church teaches about marriage, (will change) …

I think that the Church’s teaching will continue as it is, and that’s what I have to say about that for right now. I think it’s very important.

He also pledged to advance Francis’ emphasis on ecumenism and interfaith relations, and positioned this as “one of the goals of the Church” since “the time of the Second Vatican Council.”

“Pope Francis had already planned on going to Nicaea,” he said, speaking of the 1,700th anniversary celebrations of the Council of Nicaea, adding that it had become an ecumenical event on his own request.

He emphasized Francis’ dialogue with Islam, adding, “I would hope to continue that, and not only with Islam.”

On curial reform, Leo spoke of “continuing to break down or transform the isolated manner in which each dicastery works” – and stated that “we do have to continue the process of reform that Francis began.”

Speaking of China, Leo said, “(I)n the short term, I will continue the policy that the Holy See has followed for some years now (…)”

Addressing liturgical disputes, Leo promised “to continue the process” of the Amazonian rite. While he expressed willingness to talk to those who advocate for the traditional Latin Mass, the Pontiff presented no new direction, describing the Novus Ordo as “the Vatican II Mass” and echoing Francis’ critique of polarization:

People have used the liturgy as an excuse for advancing other topics. It’s become a political tool, and that’s very unfortunate.

The interview leaves no doubt: Leo intends his reign to be understood as building directly on that of Francis.

From his initial hope for “a synodal Church” to his complete commitment to Vatican II, from women’s roles to homosexuality, from ecumenism to the liturgy, he has cast himself as the successor who will “carry on” what Francis began.