New pope makes waves: outreach, surprises and past frictions

Pope Leo XIV visits the Augustinians, reaches out to Jews, and a 2023 video resurfaces: “I didn’t always agree with Bergoglio”

A start marked by simplicity and community

Pope Leo XIV, five days into his pontificate, continues to send strong symbolic messages. His unannounced visit to the Augustinians for Mass and lunch demonstrated his desire to stay close to the religious orders and to live a humble, grounded faith.

Message to the Chief Rabbi of Rome

In a significant gesture of interreligious dialogue, Pope Leo XIV sent a message to Rome’s Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, reaffirming his commitment to “strengthen cooperation with the Jewish people.” The gesture reinforces the Vatican’s diplomatic efforts and spiritual outreach beyond the Catholic world.

A revealing video from 2023

Social media is abuzz with a video clip from 2023 in which then-Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope, says: “I won’t say why, but I didn’t always get along with Bergoglio”. He also stated, “I’ll never become a bishop under him”. In retrospect, the comment has sparked intense speculation on their personal and theological differences.

@la.repubblica

In un video del 2023 l’allora cardinale Prevost raccontava ai fedeli peruviani il suo rapporto con papa Francesco: “Non andavamo sempre d’accordo, quando lo elessero pensai di non poter mai diventare vescovo. Invece…”. Il video, postato su X dall’account “Silere non possum”, circola sui social #papaLeoneXIV #francesco

♬ suono originale – la.repubblica

Continuity or a new direction?

The statements suggest possible divergences in vision between Pope Leo XIV and his predecessor, Pope Francis. Yet, so far, his public gestures — from community involvement to religious dialogue — hint at continuity in principle, but perhaps with a different personal and pastoral style.