"A mediator between conservatives and liberals" - more details emerge of the Pope's time in Peru

Church officials on the new Pope's time in Peru: "Active in providing relief during storms and during the coronavirus pandemic"

Two church officials from Peru describe the new Pope Leo XIV as hands-on, energetic, and a mediator between conservatives and liberals. They know Robert Prevost from his time as a missionary and bishop. "Especially in the poor urban neighborhoods and rural areas, one could sense genuine enthusiasm," says Father Tiberio Szeles.

Catholics in Peru celebrate Pope Leo XIV as "their" Pope. The American lived and worked as a missionary and bishop for many years in the Latin American country. Jürgen Huber and Tibereo Szeles describe their impressions from Lima. Huber has been involved in the Peru partnership of the German Archdiocese of Freiburg for years. Szeles is a pastor in the Diocese of Chosica, near the Peruvian capital.

                  Father Szeles

What does the new Pope stand for? How did you experience him during his time as a missionary and Bishop in Peru?

Jürgen Huber: During natural disasters such as the severe floods in 2017, Robert Prevost actively helped and organized aid. And when many people died of oxygen deprivation during the coronavirus pandemic, he was able to finance an oxygen system through solidarity campaigns to provide oxygen to the sick. He also worked particularly hard for migrants.

"Pope Leo XIV stands for a synodal, inclusive church."

And he stands for a synodal, inclusive church. As Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, he built bridges between the various ecclesiastical currents. Before he took office in 2015, the diocese was very conservative because it was led by bishops of the Opus Dei community.

Tiberio Szeles: I experienced Bishop Robert Prevost in Peru primarily as a caring, spiritually informed person. He was particularly concerned with the training of priests, synodal cooperation, and commitment to social justice.

Many are very critical of the election of an American as Pope. Is there a danger that US President Trump will co-opt the Pope?

Szeles: This skepticism is understandable – especially in a global political climate characterized by strong polarization. The US is an economic and political giant, but also a symbol of certain cultural and geopolitical interests. But here it's worth taking a closer look at Robert Prevost's biography. Although he was born in the US, he spent almost his entire priestly life outside the US: in Latin America, in Rome.

"His time in Peru shaped him – spiritually, theologically, and culturally."

His time in Peru in particular shaped him – spiritually, theologically, and culturally. He lived there not as an American, but as a brother in faith, as a simple servant of the Church. I don't think he allows himself to be influenced by politics or national interests. His spiritual depth is too great for that. At a time when violence, division, and populism are increasing worldwide, a voice that transcends the political camps is needed.

Huber: I don't see any danger of the Pope being co-opted by Trump. Rather, I think Pope Leo should engage in dialogue with Trump and other presidents to build bridges for a just peace and genuine solidarity with the poor and marginalized.

How can the new Pope credibly and non-partisanly represent the central message of peace emphasized in his first appearance?

Szeles: There will certainly be observers who reduce him to his origins. But the more he develops his own style and acts from the breadth of his biography, the clearer it becomes that he is a pope of the universal Church – and not a representative of a country or bloc.

"He is a man from the global centre of power who has learned to think from the margins."

I see it almost as a prophetic sign that a man from the United States, the global center of power, who has learned to think from the margins, from the periphery, has been elected right now. This is a powerful sign for the Church and the world.

Many Catholics in Peru also celebrated the papal election exuberantly...

Huber: Yes! The Peruvians celebrated in a big way because they see the new Pope as "their," Peruvian Pope – and not as an American. They hope that the Pope will not forget them and will come to visit them in Peru. Even though Pope Francis has unfortunately never been to his native Argentina as Pope.

"In many parishes, there was spontaneous prayer, celebration, and singing."

Szeles: In many parishes, people spontaneously prayed, celebrated, and sang. Especially in the poor urban neighborhoods and rural areas, one could sense genuine enthusiasm: One of our own has become Pope.

What do the people of Peru hope for from the new Pope? What can he change for the Peruvians?

Huber: They hope that he will continue what Francis initiated. A continuation of the reforms toward a synodal, communally organized Church. A Church that takes the side of migrants, the poor, and the marginalized, for the protection of nature and, above all, for the Amazon region. Leo XIV can support them in the fight against injustice and autocracy.

"The Peruvians hope that their concerns and hopes will be taken seriously in the universal Church."

Szeles: The Peruvians hope that their concerns and hopes will be taken seriously in the universal Church. That the global South is no longer merely a recipient, but has a real say in the decision-making processes of the Church and the world.

For many, his pontificate is an opportunity for the Catholic Church worldwide to move even more strongly toward true brotherhood – beyond questions of power or cultural dominance. I sense a hope that this Pope is not above them, but among them.

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