Breathing Fresh Air

With new energy around the election of a new church leader, I think many across the world and all religions are breathing in fresh air. We await the guidance and reassurance of how we are to live life in our current age.

Pope Leo XIV’s priorities include addressing the risks of artificial intelligence, calling for peace in the world, and promoting unity within the church.  He also intends to continue Pope Francis’s work on inclusivity and addressing social justice issues, such as the plight of the poor and the exploitation of natural resources. 

I’m energized by these important issues of our day and will be taking to prayer my role in helping advance the teachings of Christ through the missionary transformation of my community.

Here’s a more detailed look at his key priorities:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI):Pope Leo has highlighted the potential dangers of AI, particularly regarding human dignity, justice, and labor. He has called for responsible development and use of AI, ensuring it serves the common good. 
• Peace and Reconciliation:He has expressed a desire to help end conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza, and has called for negotiations for a fair and lasting peace. He also emphasizes the importance of dialogue and understanding between different religions and cultures. 
• Unity within the Church:Pope Leo has emphasized the importance of unity and inclusivity within the church, encouraging dialogue and collaboration between different groups and denominations. 
• Social Justice:He has echoed Pope Francis’s concerns about the exploitation of the poor and the environment, and has called for a more just economic system that prioritizes human dignity and the needs of the most vulnerable. 
• Continuity with Francis:Pope Leo has stated his intention to build on the work of his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly in areas such as the Second Vatican Council reforms, social justice, and the missionary nature of the Church. 
• Family and Marriage:Pope Leo has affirmed the traditional Catholic view of the family as a union between a man and a woman, and has spoken about the dignity of the unborn and the elderly. 
• Multilateral Diplomacy:He has called for a revival of multilateral diplomacy and dialogue between different religions in the pursuit of peace. 

I find it interesting that our new Pope took his name after Leo XIII, a Pope who faced dehumanization by the industrial revolution. with the gifts of our technological advances, we are at a moment in time where we must hold strong to our human dignity, grounded in God’s goodness.

Peace be with you 🙏🔥