Pope Leo XIV – Time Will Tell, Our Guy and Jesus’s Guy, Prayer Will Guide

On May 8, 2025, the Church welcomed a new shepherd with the election of Pope Leo XIV. His ascent to the papacy marks a historic moment—our first American pope, an Augustinian with a missionary heart forged in Peru, and a man who chose the name “Leo,” evoking the legacy of Pope Leo XIII and his social teachings. In his first moments as pontiff, he led the faithful in a Hail Mary from St. Peter’s Square, signaling a deep Marian devotion. But as the white smoke fades, a question lingers: who is Pope Leo XIV, and what will his papacy bring? This post explores the early buzz, urges patience with the wisdom of “tempus omnia revelat” (time reveals all), and offers hope rooted in prayer for our new Vicar of Christ.

The Rush to Know Him: Connecting Dots and Claiming Insight

Whenever a new pope is elected, the Catholic world buzzes with curiosity. We sift through every detail—his background, his name, his first words—trying to piece together the puzzle of who he is. But this curiosity often morphs into something else: a desire to “own” knowledge about him, to predict his every move and fit him into our expectations.

Progressives, like some voices at the National Catholic Reporter, have already staked their claim. They point to his calls for dialogue and unity, suggesting he’s a seamless continuation of Pope Francis’s legacy. “He’s one of us,” they imply, setting expectations based more on “vibes” than substance. Meanwhile, traditionalists whisper their own narrative: rumors swirl that Pope Leo XIV secretly celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) in the Vatican, even during Pope Francis’s reign. For them, this hints at a pontiff who might champion their cause.

Both sides are connecting dots, but the picture is still blurry. Apparently, some folks think they’ve got the Sistine Chapel’s next masterpiece figured out with just a crayon and a cocktail napkin. These early takes rely on scraps of information and wishful thinking. We’ve seen this before—initial impressions of a pope rarely tell the whole story. So how do we move forward?

The Joy of Connecting Dots: Chicagoans Celebrate Their Pope

While the rush to predict Pope Leo XIV’s papacy can get a bit intense, let’s be honest—connecting these dots is also just plain fun! There’s a certain joy in discovering the personal quirks and roots of our new Holy Father, especially when they hit close to home. Nowhere is this more evident than in Chicago, where hometown pride for their native son has sparked a wave of lighthearted celebration.

One particularly delightful example comes from The Wiener’s Circle, a famous Chicago hot dog stand known for its cheeky humor. They changed their store sign to read “Canes Nostros Ipse Comedit”—Latin for “He has eaten our dogs.” I mean, c’mon, that’s funny! Not only did they honor Pope Leo XIV’s Chicago roots with a nod to his likely love for a good hot dog, but they did it in Latin, giving it that perfect Vatican flair. It’s the kind of playful connection that reminds us how a pope’s personal story can bring a community together in laughter.

And The Wiener’s Circle isn’t alone. Chicagoans are rolling out the red carpet in their own unique way, with White Sox barbs, references to The Bear, and even jokes about “Da Pope!” popping up across the city, as shared in various posts on X. These celebrations show how deeply personal this moment feels for Chicago Catholics—and beyond. It’s a reminder that before he was Pope Leo XIV, he was Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago kid who probably scarfed down a few hot dogs in his day. That shared history is worth celebrating, even as we wait to see what his papacy will hold.

Tempus Omnia Revelat: Let Time Shine Its Light

Here’s where an old Latin adage offers wisdom: tempus omnia revelat—time reveals all. The sunlight of many days, not the flicker of first impressions, will illuminate Pope Leo XIV’s path. History teaches us this lesson well. Pope Pius IX, for instance, was hailed as a liberal reformer in his early years, only to pivot later into a staunch defender of tradition. Initial speculations often miss the mark because a pope’s true character emerges through his actions, not our projections. That missed mark on Pius IX proving that even in the 1800s, Catholics were playing ‘Guess the Pope’s Vibe’ with all the accuracy of a Magic 8-Ball.

Rather than rushing to label Pope Leo XIV as “Francis 2.0” or a closet traditionalist, let’s embrace patience—because clearly, waiting a whole 48 hours to figure out the Vicar of Christ is just too much for our TikTok-scrolling attention spans. His priorities—whether social justice, liturgical renewal, or something unexpected—will unfold in time. Our task isn’t to predict but to observe, to give him room to lead as the Holy Spirit guides.

Hope in the Vicar of Christ: Our Guy, Jesus’s Guy

We might think we’ve got Pope Leo XIV figured out. Reports of his alleged TLM celebrations suggest a traditional streak; his missionary past hints at a heart for the marginalized. But here’s the thing: as Vicar of Christ, he’s not just “our guy” — he’s Jesus’s guy. His role transcends our categories and expectations. What Jesus asks of him in the unique circumstances of this papacy – global crises, Church divisions, or unforeseen challenges – may defy what we think we know. I mean, let’s face it, the Holy Spirit doesn’t exactly send us a Google Calendar or Teams meeting invite for these things.

This is where hope comes in. If he’s truly the Vicar of Christ, then divine guidance will shape his decisions in ways we can’t predict. Our job isn’t to box him in but to trust that he’ll strive to stay close to Jesus, mindful of his role as shepherd of the universal Church. And we can support him best through prayer, asking God to grant him wisdom, courage, and fidelity.

I’m not alone in this perspective. Catholic commentator Michael Matt, along with others on X, has echoed a similar sentiment, urging a “wait-and-see” approach. Matt, a longtime traditionalist voice, noted on the night of the election that Pope Leo XIV could be “a bridge builder between the trads and the modernists” and suggested giving him time—months, not days—to see what he will do. This shared call for patience, paired with prayer, reflects a hopeful trust in the unfolding of God’s plan through our new pope.

A Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

Let’s conclude with a traditional prayer for the pope from the Raccolta, a treasury of indulgenced prayers cherished in Catholic tradition. Below, I’ve presented it in two columns—Latin and English, side by side, as in the old prayer books—inviting you to join me in lifting up Pope Leo XIV. Consider making this part of your daily devotions as we entrust him to God’s care—because if we’re going to wait months to see what he does, we might as well keep busy with some holy multitasking.

As a spiritual bonus for your prayers, the Raccolta offers the following indulgences for reciting this prayer: An indulgence of 300 days is granted to all the faithful who devoutly recite this prayer for the Pope, each time it is said. A plenary indulgence is granted once a month to those who recite it daily, under the usual conditions (confession, communion, and a prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father).

Pope Leo XIV’s election is a moment of joy and mystery for the Church. As we wrestle with curiosity and speculation, let’s anchor ourselves in patience and prayer. Tempus omnia revelat—time will reveal his path. Until then, may we hold fast to hope, trusting that Christ will guide His vicar. Join me in praying for Pope Leo XIV, that he may lead with a heart ever close to Jesus, our Savior and King.

This article, Pope Leo XIV – Time Will Tell, Our Guy and Jesus’s Guy, Prayer Will Guide is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/pope-leo-xiv-time-will-tell-our-guy-and-jesuss-guy-prayer-will-guide/
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