Pope Leo XIV appointment – “a truly historic moment”

Professor Anna Rowlands, has been actively working with the team managing the global Synod process established by Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor Pope Francis.

"Peace builder"

Anna, St Hilda Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice in Theology and Religion and a member of the University’s Centre for Catholic Studies was pictured in one of the first selfies with the new Pope after his appointment.

She said: “This is an appointment of a Pope who meets the profile outlined by the cardinals in their week long deliberations prior to the Conclave: a shepherd, a missionary, a ‘teacher of humanity’, a leader for a ‘Samaritan Church’ close to those who suffer and are wounded, someone to help overcome polarisation in the church and world, and a peace builder.

“This is very much the vision he laid out in his first address as Pope Leo – a name that claims the heritage of the great founder of modern Catholic Social Teaching and a promoter of the Augustinian order that Pope Leo XIV is a member of, but perhaps also suggests a continuity with his predecessor in friendship, given that Leo was also the name of Francis of Assisi’s closest friend.

“This is an Augustinian Pope for a moment defined by shifting cultures, institutional paralysis and the rise of fundamentalisms. In Rome, he was welcomed by cheers and tears and huge hopes from the gathered crowd.”

“A momentous event”

Dr Liam Temple, Assistant Professor in Theology and Religion and Capuchin Fellow in the History of Catholicism in the Centre for Catholic Studies, said Pope Leo XIV’s appointment was a “truly historic moment in the history of the Catholic Church”.

Liam added: “The election of the first North American and Peruvian Pope is a momentous event. The choice of the name Leo XIV suggests that the new pope may wish to continue the legacy of Leo XIII in the areas of Catholic social teaching and healing the rift between the church and the modern world.

“His first words from the Central Loggia of St Peter's Basilica spoke of bridge building and dialogue, sentiments many will see as critical in our current fragmented world. Time will tell how much impact they will have.”

"A moment of both novelty and continuity"

Professor Karen Kilby, Bede Professor of Catholic Theology, and Director of our Centre for Catholic Studies, said: “The election of Pope Leo XIV is a moment of both novelty and continuity.  Pope Leo is from the mid-west of United States and also from Peru, and he is an Augustinian priest. It will be fascinating to see the distinctive way in which he takes up the burdens of the papacy.

“At the same time, Pope Leo XIV’s first address touched on many of his predecessor’s most important themes. He spoke of building bridges, dialogue, and closeness to those who suffer. Above all his mention of a ‘synodal church’ suggests a commitment to continuing an initiative Francis began.

“The ‘synod on synodality’ is  the most significant development in the Catholic Church since the 1960s. It now looks as though this process begun under Pope Francis, which could transform the culture of Catholicism,  will continue under Pope Leo.”

Find out more

• Read more about Professor Anna Rowlands, Professor Karen Kilby and Dr Liam Temple. 

• The Centre for Catholic Studies is a centre for critically constructive Catholic studies, working in close partnership with the Catholic Church and other organisations, in multiple ways, to produce future leaders, foster talent, and promote the growth of Catholic scholarship locally and globally.

• Our Department of Theology and Religion is ranked sixth in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. Visit our Theology and Religion webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. You can also learn more about Durham's MA in Catholic Theology (Distance Learning) programme.

Main photograph shows Pope Leo XIV with Professor Anna Rowlands to the new Pope's left. Credit: Sr Nathalie Becquart.