A New Pope Is Chosen: Why Should Protestants Care?

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69 year-old native of Chicago, emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and was introduced to the world as Pope Leo XIV. (WSJ)

New Popes choose their papal names from either a saint or prior Pope they particularly admire.

Leo XIII was Prevost’s forerunner, a Pope known for his support of workers rights in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.

MAGA flavored Catholics were in an uproar on social media , denouncing the new Pope as “woke”…because anything that looks like Jesus has that effect on them.

Why should Protestants care about this at all?

Catholics comprise over half the Christians in the world and they are our brothers and sisters.

Beloved Pope Francis was a Christian leader who modeled Jesus to the world by demonstrating compassion and mercy for those on the margins of society…while American Protestant leaders often model a lust for power and pragmatism that attracts no one but like minded believers.

We need leaders from all the Christian denominations to represent Christ in spirit and truth…to represent especially the compassion and grace of God.

I’m an Anglican and while i do not recognize papal authority, I do hold the office in high regard and understand the influence that Popes hold all over the world.

Francis influenced the world for good…may Pope Leo XIV follow in his footsteps as he follows Jesus.