New Books in Catholic Studies Pope Leo XIV (with Christopher White)
12 snips
Jul 15, 2025 
In this discussion, Vatican reporter Christopher White delves into his book about Pope Leo XIV, a groundbreaking American pope from Chicago and Peru. He examines how Leo's papacy aligns with the legacies of Vatican II and Pope Francis, focusing on themes of unity and love. White shares insights from his experiences at the 2024 Synod in San Francisco, addressing diverse global priorities and how they inform synodality. He also discusses the significance of Leo's swift actions on clerical abuse cases and his approach to public communication.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
First Meeting With Prevost
- Christopher White met Cardinal Prevost the day he became prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and found him curious and well-prepared.
- Prevost invited conversational FaceTime instead of a formal interview, signaling humility and approachability.
Synodality Became A Global Listening Project
- Synodality under Pope Francis expanded from bishops-only to include lay people in a global listening process across diocesan, continental, and Roman phases.
- The 2023–2024 synod gave lay delegates equal vote and aimed to depolarize by amplifying many voices.
Augustinian Shape Of Leadership
- Prevost's Augustinian background shaped his preference for community and roundtable decision-making.
- He values giving voice to many while recognizing the Pope retains final authority.
