Pope Leo XIV and the Challenge of Leading the Church Through a Polarized American Catholic Right

How Pope Leo XIV Might Guide the Church Amid a Rising Catholic Right in the U.S.

 

Under Pope Francis, the Catholic Church broke from long-standing norms, challenging conservative strongholds and giving greater voice to ordinary believers—moves that angered traditionalists.

Now, with Pope Leo XIV at the helm, many experts say there’s little chance of a full reversal. A return to the pre-Francis era seems off the table.

“The cardinals did not elect somebody who was going to reject the legacy of Pope Francis and take us back to the old Church,” said the Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit priest and columnist for Religion News Service. “That day is over.”

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected pope on May 8 by a 133-member conclave, 80% of whom were appointed by Francis. As Pope Leo XIV—the first American to hold the papacy—his background and early public remarks are beginning to shift expectations about the Church’s future direction and the tensions it may face.In one of his first statements on reform since his election, Pope Leo XIV told cardinals during a May 10 meeting that he hopes to carry forward key changes championed by Pope Francis. He specifically pointed to Francis’ emphasis on synodality—promoting decentralization in Church governance—and on fostering dialogue with the modern world in all its complexity.

These reforms were central to growing tensions between the Vatican and the increasingly vocal Catholic right in the U.S., a movement pushing for greater autonomy within American Catholicism. Yet Leo’s election appears to challenge earlier assumptions about how that conflict might unfold.

“This is incredibly interesting because it reshapes the dynamics between the Vatican and the West—and particularly between the Vatican and U.S. Catholicism,” said Massimo Faggioli, a leading Catholic theologian and professor at Villanova University, reflecting on Prevost’s election. “The conclave has really dealt a different set of cards to the papacy.”

Before his election, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost served as prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, a key role overseeing episcopal appointments worldwide—a position that placed him at the center of Pope Francis’ efforts to shape a more pastoral and globally representative hierarchy. But his roots lie far from the Vatican bureaucracy.

Over a 44-year ministry, Prevost spent much of his career between his hometown of Chicago and remote regions of Peru, giving him a rare blend of experience in both the global South and urban America. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, and a prominent figure within the Order of St. Augustine—a religious community known for its emphasis on humility, community, and theological reflection.

That international and pastoral background is already reframing how experts view his potential papal priorities. As the first U.S.-born pope, Leo XIV enters office amid growing ideological divides in American Catholicism and shifting global power dynamics in the Church. Yet rather than deepening polarization, his lived experience across continents may allow him to bridge divides—balancing continuity with Pope Francis' reformist legacy while offering a tone and perspective that resonates more deeply with U.S. Catholics.

Continuity, Not Repetition

Conservative backlash to Pope Francis’ reforms grew steadily during his papacy, as critics feared his changes to Church governance might eventually lead to shifts in doctrine. Central to those reforms were efforts to broaden participation in Church decision-making—such as revising synod procedures to include women and laypeople—and appointing women to leadership roles within Vatican offices.

These moves sparked ideological and ecclesiological pushback from the Catholic right, some of whom questioned the very legitimacy of Francis' authority. While Francis worked to calm the rebellion, Cardinal Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—played a quiet but significant role in managing the fallout during his time as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

According to the National Catholic Reporter, Leo was involved in overseeing the discipline of the controversial Bishop Joseph Strickland of Texas, a vocal critic of Francis. In 2023, the Vatican removed Strickland from leadership of the Diocese of Tyler, citing disobedience and divisive rhetoric. Around the same time, disciplinary measures were taken against two other high-ranking U.S. church leaders under similar concerns.

Rev. Thomas Reese, author of Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church, said Leo’s track record on bishop appointments is telling. “We are going to have a lot of new bishops in the United States who are more supportive of what Francis did and what Leo is going to be trying to do,” Reese said.

Rather than reversing Francis’ course, Leo XIV appears poised to continue it—though not necessarily in the same voice or style. His leadership may offer continuity with a fresh tone, aimed at healing internal fractures while still advancing the reformist legacy he helped shape from behind the scenes.

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U.S. Bishops and Scholars React to Pope Leo XIV's Election

The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has elicited a range of reactions from U.S. bishops and Catholic scholars, reflecting both hope for continuity and anticipation of renewed focus on pastoral care.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York expressed admiration for Pope Leo XIV's qualities, describing him as "humble, effective, multilingual, a good listener, and devoted to the poor." Dolan recounted that during informal conversations among cardinals, many praised Prevost's leadership and decision-making abilities, indicating a strong consensus on his suitability for the papacy.

Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, shared his initial surprise at the election but emphasized his optimism: "We would like to hope that it would certainly generate greater interest in the priesthood in young Catholics here in our own country, saying we feel this deep connection now to the Holy Father through that common bond." Hying also expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV would continue the progressive missionary work initiated by Pope Francis.

Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, a vocal advocate for migrants, highlighted Pope Leo XIV's deep understanding of Latin American and immigrant experiences, stemming from his missionary work in Peru. Seitz expressed confidence that the new pope would support ministries focused on marginalized communities, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago noted the significance of Pope Leo XIV's election, stating that the cardinals sought someone who could carry forward the ministry and tradition of Pope Francis, as well as the broader legacy of the Second Vatican Council.

These reactions underscore a shared sense among U.S. Catholic leaders that Pope Leo XIV's election represents both a continuation of recent reforms and an opportunity to address contemporary challenges with renewed vigor and inclusivity.