Pope Leo XIV: A Call for Unity or a Crossroads for the Church?

When I first heard that the new pope—Pope Leo XIV—was not only an American but also someone who had served as a missionary in Peru, I was cautiously optimistic. His inauguration stirred something in me: a deep desire to believe that maybe, just maybe, the Church might reclaim its role as a clear voice of truth in a culture that has wandered so far from it. But if I’ve learned anything in my walk with Christ, it’s that good intentions mean little if they aren’t rooted in Scripture.

I believe we are at a turning point—not just for the Catholic Church, but for global Christianity. Pope Leo XIV has already made statements that sound noble: unity, compassion, walking together in God’s love. These are beautiful ideals, but only if they’re anchored in biblical truth. Otherwise, unity becomes compromise, compassion becomes enablement, and love becomes a license for sin.

Let’s take a closer look at where Pope Leo XIV stands so far—and where I believe the Church must remain steadfast.

A Historic Beginning, A Watchful Eye

Pope Leo XIV was inaugurated on May 18, 2025, in front of thousands at St. Peter’s Basilica. America watched the livestream, hopeful. His homily included calls for peace, fraternity, and healing—a message that resonated with a world torn by division. He invoked the image of Christ walking with us and reminded listeners that we are all children of God (Vatican News).

That sounds good. But my question is this: will he lead the Church toward God’s truth—or simply toward a version of unity that bows to cultural pressure?

Abortion: A Clear Line in the Sand

Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Church’s position on the sanctity of life during his inauguration week. He stated clearly that “every life is sacred, from conception to natural death,” and condemned the violence of abortion as an assault on human dignity (AP News).

As a Christian, I fully support this. Scripture is unambiguous on the value of life: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). And yet, we live in a time where many Church leaders stay silent—or worse, speak ambiguously—about abortion for the sake of “unity” or political favor.

If Pope Leo XIV stays bold on this front, I will commend him. But I will also hold him accountable if he begins to water down this stance to accommodate political powers or progressive theology.

For a deeper exploration of this topic, see my post: Faith in Politics: Should Christians Be Involved in Government?

Gender Identity and the War on Creation

One issue I haven’t seen Pope Leo XIV directly address yet—but one that I hope he does soon—is gender identity. This isn’t a political issue. It’s a theological one. Genesis 1:27 tells us that “God created man in His own image… male and female He created them.”

We are witnessing a cultural movement that seeks to dismantle this foundational truth. Children are being taught that gender is fluid, that biology is irrelevant, and that their feelings define reality. And sadly, some Christian leaders are going along with it.

The Catholic Church has historically stood firm on this matter, affirming the binary and sacred design of male and female. Pope Leo XIV has a chance to double down on this truth. But he’ll face enormous pressure not to. And I’m watching closely—because the Church cannot affirm confusion without denying creation itself.

For more on this, read my thoughts here: The Christian Response to Gender Ideology

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Without Compromise?

This is perhaps the most difficult and most culturally explosive topic—and yet, we can’t ignore it.

Pope Leo XIV has signaled that he wants to welcome LGBTQ+ individuals with compassion and dignity, and I support that. Everyone is made in God’s image and should be treated with love. But here’s where I draw the line: love does not mean approval. Grace does not mean endorsement.

So far, Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed that marriage is between one man and one woman, stating that the family is built on that foundation (Them.us). That’s a good start. But I’ve seen this story before. Leaders begin with truth, then slowly shift into accommodation, using words like “pastoral care” to justify doctrinal drift.

I speak from experience—I’ve wrestled with same-sex attraction my entire life. I know the power of temptation. But I also know that Christ calls us to surrender our desires, not sanctify them. Any Church leader who tells people to embrace a version of Christianity that doesn’t include repentance is leading them into darkness, not light.

If Pope Leo XIV starts down that road, I will not stay silent.

Immigration and the Christian Heart

One area where I find Pope Leo XIV’s perspective both heartfelt and biblical is on immigration. As someone who served in Latin America, he’s seen suffering up close. He’s urged nations to treat migrants with dignity and not reduce them to statistics (Reuters).

Scripture does command us to care for the foreigner: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35). But this doesn’t mean supporting open borders or turning a blind eye to criminality. There’s a balance—and it’s a difficult one.

We should advocate for compassion, yes—but also for law, order, and national sovereignty. Welcoming the stranger doesn’t mean abandoning wisdom. And I hope Pope Leo understands that biblical hospitality does not require us to ignore the safety and stability of nations.

For a deeper dive into this issue, check out my post: South African Refugees: The Crisis the Left Won’t Talk About

Scripture, Not Sentiment

The biggest challenge I see with Pope Leo XIV isn’t whether he’s kind or diplomatic—it’s whether he’ll remain biblical. In a time when even churches are splitting over gender ideology and moral relativism, we need leaders who will say: “It is written.”

The Pope’s early comments have emphasized healing and peace. But healing without repentance is superficial. Peace without truth is dangerous.

I want unity too—but not at the expense of conviction. I want compassion—but not at the expense of clarity. And most of all, I want Church leaders who are not ashamed of the Gospel, no matter the cultural cost.

Why This Matters to All of Us

I’m not Catholic, but I care deeply about what happens in the Catholic Church. Why? Because what happens in Rome echoes across the Christian world.

When a Pope affirms biblical truth, it strengthens the global witness of Christianity. When a Pope wavers, it emboldens the cultural left and weakens the Church’s voice. And in a time when people are starving for truth, we cannot afford another era of moral compromise.

I believe Pope Leo XIV has the potential to lead with strength, integrity, and humility. But the coming months will reveal whether he’ll stay faithful to Scripture—or bend toward the winds of political favor.

And as for me? I’ll be watching, praying, and speaking the truth as clearly and compassionately as I can.