A New Pope, A Familiar Message: Humility and Unity in Pope Leo XIV

Today, Catholics around the world celebrate the election of a new pope—Pope Leo XIV. Out of curiosity, I looked up some background to understand more about who he is. CNN published a helpful summary, and I’ve taken the liberty of condensing it into ten one-line facts for quick insight:

1. Though born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV was considered the “least American” cardinal due to his long service in Peru and fluency in Spanish and Italian.
2. Pope Francis held him in high esteem, seeing him as a capable, thoughtful, and measured leader.
3. He is a member of the Augustinian order and emphasizes humility and unity within the Church.
4. He brings extensive leadership experience, including overseeing global bishop appointments and Latin American affairs.
5. With a missionary heart, his formative years in Peru deeply shaped his approach to global ministry.
6. He holds dual U.S.–Peruvian citizenship, underscoring his deep ties to Latin America.
7. His choice of the name Leo honors Pope Leo XIII’s legacy of advocating for the poor and workers’ rights.
8. Seen as a centrist, he unifies moderates and progressives, supporting inclusive church reforms.
9. He studied mathematics at Villanova and later taught canon law in Peru after training in Rome.
10. A tennis enthusiast, he also enjoys reading, walking, and exploring new places in his free time.

What stood out to me most was the phrase used to describe him: "the least American" of the American cardinals. That wording immediately drew my thoughts to scripture. In fact, Christ himself placed great emphasis on the least among us—not as unimportant, but as essential.

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”— Matthew 25:40 (KJV)

Similarly, the Book of Mormon echoes this profound principle:

“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”— Mosiah 2:17

There is power in serving from the margins—not from the top down, but shoulder to shoulder. Pope Leo XIV, shaped by years in Latin America and trained in the Augustinian tradition, seems to embody that spirit. Humility, unity, and service aren't just ideals for him—they're part of his lived experience.

It’s no surprise Pope Francis saw in him a thoughtful, capable leader. A man fluent in Spanish, Italian, English, and Latin—who spent much of his ecclesial life outside the Western world—is well-equipped to guide a truly global Church. Items 4 through 7 in particular suggest a pope who not only continues Francis’ legacy but may deepen it: caring for the poor, lifting those on the fringe, and drawing the world’s attention toward overlooked communities.

I also appreciate his designation as a centrist. In an era marked by extremes—political, social, even religious—a centrist voice can be a bridge. A middle ground doesn’t mean compromise of truth; rather, it can mean the courage to hold space for peace, patience, and process.

As someone who holds a degree in theoretical mathematics myself, I can’t help but admire a fellow mathematician at the helm—someone trained to think rigorously, step-by-step, and who understands both abstract reasoning and concrete application. Add to that his canon law scholarship and years of teaching, and you have, in my view, a man with both the heart and the intellect to carry Christ’s message to many.

As for his love of tennis—that’s a delightful human touch. We all need places to play.

In Summary

Pope Leo XIV appears to be a leader formed not by ambition, but by humility, service, and wisdom. He arrives with a calm presence, a missionary heart, and the kind of global awareness that could make a lasting impact in today’s divided world. His papacy is just beginning, but already, there are signs of promise—for unity, for inclusion, and for Christ-centered leadership.