The new Pope begins with the old Indulgences

New and old. These two words describe Pope Leo XIV, newly elected by the conclave as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

He is new because he is American, the first American Pope ever. He is new because, although not unknown to the professional observers, he was not a popular figure for the public opinion. He is new because he described himself as a “missionary” rather than a diplomat or an ecclesiastical leader, having speng many years in Perú.

Yet, Leo XIV is also old. His first prayer was directed to Mary (Hail Mary) rather than to Jesus Christ. His second prayer was an invocation of the saints. His first act was a plenary indulgence to all, thus relaunching a medieval practice that was fought against by the Protestant Reformation but still very much part of Roman Catholic theology and practice. He is old also in the choice of his name after Leo XIII who, at the end of the 19th century, blended the elevation of Thomism as the Roman Catholic framework of thought and social concern for the poor.

New and old. What else could be expect from a Roman Catholic Pope? Little is known about his stance on doctrinal and moral issues that are debated in the Catholic church. It does not seem that he has ever had significant relationships with evangelicals. Our task will always be to witness to the old, yet ever new message of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is different from the old and new things held together by the Roman Catholic Church.

Leonardo De Chirico, evangelical pastor in Rome. Theologian and director of the Reformanda Initiative, he analyses Roman Catholicism on the blog Vatican Files.

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