Pope Leo XIV's First Five Days: 6 Key Lessons

What can we learn from Pope Leo XIV's first five days? Dr. Sri reflects on the Pope's inaugural days and shares 6 key lessons from the Pope's early messages and homilies that we can all learn from and apply to our own spiritual lives. 

Snippet from the Show

Pope Leo XIV introduced a core framework for understanding salvation—Jesus as the gift and the path.

Six Key Lessons from Pope Leo XIV's First Days

As the world adjusts to the new leadership of Pope Leo XIV, there's a wave of excitement about what his papacy might bring.  Here are six key insights from the Pope's inaugural days that may offer a glimpse into his future direction.

1. A Christ-Centered Papacy

In his initial homily, Pope Leo emphasized the question Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” By choosing to center on Christ's identity rather than the papal authority, the Pope signaled a Jesus-centric approach to leadership. This embodies his commitment to placing Christ at the heart of the Church’s mission.

2. Jesus as Gift and Path

Pope Leo XIV introduced a core framework for understanding salvation—Jesus as the gift and the path. Jesus being the gift introduces us to the intimacy and closeness of God. Concurrently, Jesus as the path presents a model for holiness and a guide to true happiness and fulfillment. These two aspects are indispensable, offering both the relationship and the moral compass needed for Christian life.

3. Modern Responses to Faith

Reflecting on two historical reactions to Jesus, Pope Leo XIV draws parallels to contemporary responses: indifference or partial acceptance. In our modern era, many find Jesus irrelevant or a mere moral challenge, preferring the distractions of technology and success. Addressing these responses, the Pope calls on the faithful to rediscover a deep yearning for God amidst a world often dismissive of spiritual values.

4. The Necessity of Missionary Outreach

The Pope emphasizes the necessity of missionary outreach to a world filled with loneliness and anxiety. He envisions the Church as a beacon of hope, an arc of salvation during the world's dark nights. By fostering holiness among its members, the Church can extend Christ’s love to those feeling isolated and in need of compassion.

5. God's Peace and Love

In his first appearance to the masses, Pope Leo’s message centered on peace, echoing the resurrection joy of Easter. His emphasis on God's unconditional love invites all, regardless of past mistakes or distance from the Church, to experience God’s mercy and warmth. 

6. Personal Conversion

Pope Leo XIV calls for a renewal of personal conversion as a prelude to effective evangelization. To impact the larger world, we must first cultivate our own spiritual lives, nurturing a relationship with Christ. 

• FULL TEXT: Pope Leo XIV’s homily at Mass with the cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel

• When the White Smoke Clears: A Guide to Pope Leo XIV's Early Days

Dr. Sri's Events List (2025)

• May 16-17: Ave Maria Retreat - Ave Maria, FL
• June 8 - Rockville NY
• June 22-30: Rome Pilgrimage - Italy
• Aug 2-5: Grand Getaway - Mackinac Island, MI
• Sept 13 - Marriage Weekend - Fort Collins, CO
• Sept 20 - Eucharist Encounter - Tampa FL
• Aug 9: Emmaus: Diocesan Family Conference - Gary, IN
• Oct 8: Legatus - Jacksonville, FL
• Oct 11 - Love and Responsibility Conference - Los Angeles CA
• Oct 13-15 - Madison WI
• Oct 22-24 - Missionaries of Charity - Memphis TN

Resources

• To learn more about Dr. Sri's Holy Land pilgrimages email holyland.edwardsri@gmail.com 
• Visit Dr. Sri’s website at www.edwardsri.com and to book online events with Dr. Sri email events.edwardsri@gmail.com
• Find more of Dr. Sri’s episodes at www.ascensionpress.com/allthingscatholic 
• Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to www.ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings