University of Dayton faculty offer early reflections on the election of Pope Leo XIV, highlighting his deep roots in the Americas, his commitment to Catholic social teaching; and his emphasis on unity, peace and dialogue. Faculty also noted his strong devotion to the Virgin Mary, made clear in one of his first public acts: leading the crowd in St. Peter’s Square in the Hail Mary prayer.

Below, they share insights on the new pope’s background, symbolism and the priorities he may bring to the papacy.

Neomi De Anda, executive director of International Marian Research Institute: 

Pope Leo XIV’s life and ministry reflect a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary. One of his first acts was leading the crowd at St. Peter’s in the Hail Mary prayer. He has publicly expressed his faith in her and entrusted Pope Francis’ health and well-being to her care. He emphasizes Mary as a source of consolation, hope and help for all who seek her, especially in times of illness or suffering. His coat of arms features a blue background with a white fleur-de-lis, symbolizing the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of his diocese.

Dennis Doyle, professor emeritus:

The name Pope Leo XIV might signal an intention to focus on Catholic social teaching, which calls for human dignity, solidarity, and care for the poor and vulnerable. Pope Leo XIII is best known for writing Rerum Novarum, the first modern social encyclical — a formal letter from the pope that guides Catholics on key issues — addressing the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers and governments.

Daniel Speed Thompson, associate professor:

Pope Leo XIV, in distinction from Pope Francis, wore the more ornate papal mozzetta and gold pectoral cross when he appeared on the balcony. One need not over interpret these changes in dress, but it seems at the least Pope Leo wants to reassure people in the Church about his continuity with the past.

Kelly Johnson, Fr. Ferree Chair of Social Justice:

Pope Leo XIV’s first public comments repeated the words of the resurrected Lord, “Peace be with you.” By emphasizing peace for all people, he spoke into our moment of horrifying and expanding warfare, and he named a key way the Church is living its calling of peace — by walking together, building bridges and practicing dialogue, all elements of the synodality Pope Francis championed. He greeted with gratitude the faithful Peruvians who have accompanied his ministry, identifying with them, while of course his place of birth is the US. That in itself is a powerful sign in our moment, a testimony to a church that is about the bonds of love among all humanity before God, rather than the protection of national or ethnic or racial privilege. 

Timothy Gabrielli, Gudorf Chair in Catholic Intellectual Traditions:

Pope Leo XIV’s first words were about peace. He repeated the word “peace” 10 times in his opening address. In line with Pope Francis, he emphasized “everyone” throughout those words. He also spoke, as did Pope Francis, of building bridges. The choice of the name Leo is telling, too. The last pope named Leo served at the end of the 19th century. He wrote Rerum Novarum (1891), the first modern document of Catholic social teaching, focused on workers’ rights. Pope Leo XIV may be signaling similar priorities, and we can expect him to carry forward Pope Francis’ strong emphasis on the marginalized and overlooked. He started his remarks in Italian, as expected for the Bishop of Rome, but switched to Spanish and called out the people of Peru, reflecting his long ministry there. Like Pope Francis, who often described the Americas as ‘one continent,’ Leo XIV embodies that vision — a North American who served much of his life in South America.

Sandra Yocum, University Professor of Faith and Culture:

Choosing the name Leo associates our new pope with Leo XIII, whose encyclical, Rerum Novarum, is often identified as the beginning of modern Catholic social teaching, with its defense of workers' right to organize and receive a living wage. Given that we are celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea on May 20, 2025, perhaps the new pope is also honoring Leo the Great whose letter sent to the Council of Chalcedon affirmed what was promulgated at the Council of Nicea and is central to our Christian faith, that God began incarnate in Jesus Christ. Leo XIV began his message with the greeting of the risen Lord, "peace" and welcome to all. He invites us to walk together as missionaries of Jesus in the company of Mary, who walks with us. In other words, he is inviting us to synodality, "walking together." He also invites us to be bridge builders and to enter into dialogue. His words echo those of Pope Francis and suggest that he will in his own way continue some of the work that Pope Francis began.

Anthony B. Smith, associate professor:

I'm surprised the College of Cardinals chose an American as next pope. Given the enormous economic, geopolitical, cultural and military power of the US, I have long thought that the Catholic Church would hesitate before making an American its head. So this sets up a quite interesting set of issues between the new pope, his leadership of the Church, and the US. We'll have to wait and see how Pope Leo XIV's American identity might shape the Church, or whether he offers a counter vision to American power through his leadership of the Church.  It is important to note his extensive experience in Latin America, specifically Peru. This does give him a cosmopolitanism that can challenge an American-centric view of the world. Americans will probably be quite enthusiastic with the new pope since he is one of their own. I suspect  the American media and press will be quite attracted to Pope Leo because he is an American. We might find that this American pope assumes a large presence in American culture, particularly given his Midwestern, Chicago roots. But as leader of the Catholic Church with deep experience of the global Church, he may not be what some anticipate.

Jana Bennett, department chair:

Religious Studies hosted an impromptu watch party once we learned the pope had been elected. I think our collective sense was one of shock? An American? I think most of us had thought there was no way that would happen. But as we got to know him a bit in his introduction, we also saw no a pope for all people. The fact that he spoke in Italian and Spanish; that he took the name Leo (following a long line of Leos who have linked faith in Christ with responding to the needs of our time and place); and the fact that his first words are words of peace, building bridges, and seeking relationship with God through Mary. I am looking forward to seeing what this American-Peruvian priest and bishop, and gifted administrator, will do next.