Pope Leo XIV on Bishops: "Pastor, not a manager"

Newly elected Pope in a 2023 interview with "Vatican News" about his understanding of the episcopal ministry, abuse prevention, and women in leadership positions

The new Pope Leo XIV's understanding of church leadership, pastoral care, and responsibility is deeply rooted in the Gospel: This is revealed in an interview published by "Vatican News" immediately after his election on Thursday evening. The interview, conducted in 2023 – the former missionary bishop Robert Francis Prevost, who had just served in Peru, had just been appointed Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, and his appointment to cardinal was imminent – ​​reveals key facets of his spiritual profile and provides a foretaste of what will shape his pontificate.

At the time, Prevost described himself not as a functionary, but as a person with a lasting missionary calling: "I still consider myself a missionary." This basic tone determined his approach to tasks—whether as a religious, bishop, prefect, and now probably also to the pope. "Simply always saying yes when I was asked to serve" was an attitude that sustained him for decades.

According to the then prefect, the episcopal office is a spiritual, not administrative, task. "The bishop is a pastor, not a manager." Prevost advocated for a Church in which authority does not mean power, but service to others. He particularly emphasized closeness to people, which must constitute the essence of episcopal leadership. This closeness has four dimensions: to God, to fellow bishops, to priests, and to the people of God. Only those who live this closeness can be credible as shepherds, according to the religious who was then responsible for selecting bishop candidates.

In light of the increasing polarization, which can also be felt within the Church, Prevost emphasized the bishops' responsibility for unity. Divisions are "a very painful wound" that causes deep damage to the Church. Bishops must resolutely counter this fragmentation by living communion, participation, and mission – concepts that are particularly important to him, he said at the time, also with regard to the synodal path.

For Prevost, the renewal of the Church is not an organisational project, but a spiritual task: "I truly believe that the Holy Spirit is very present in the Church at this time and is urging us to renewal." The then Prefect spoke of a "new attitude" that is more than just structural changes. Rather, it is about learning "to truly listen to the Holy Spirit and the spirit of truth-seeking that lives in the Church."

Prevost demonstrated particular clarity and decisiveness on the issue of dealing with sexual abuse in the Church. Silence is not a solution, he said: "We must be transparent and honest, accompany the victims, and help them, because otherwise their wounds will never heal." The Church has a "great responsibility" here, especially the bishops, whom he saw as pastors of both priests and survivors. A bishop "must also have the ability to listen and seek advice, and he must be psychologically and spiritually mature," Prevost said.

On the topic of women in the Church, the then-archbishop stated that the perspective of the women appointed by Pope Francis to Vatican leadership positions was clearly an "enrichment," regardless of whether they were religious or lay women. Time and again, they brought a different perspective through their opinions and thus made an important contribution to the processes. "I think their appointment is more than just a gesture by the Pope to say that there are now women here too. There is a real, meaningful participation that they offer at our meetings when we discuss the candidates' dossiers."

Prevost also emphasized an open, participatory vision of the Church and his desire for greater involvement of the People of God in the selection of bishops, which should be more open. "If a candidate is unknown to anyone in his people, it is difficult—not impossible, but difficult—for him to truly become a pastor of a community." Bishops should also be "practical" without losing their spiritual identity: "It is also important that we never forget the spiritual dimension of our vocation. Otherwise, there is a danger that we become managers and think like managers."

Perhaps it is this clear focus on the essential that ultimately led Robert Francis Prevost to be elected Pope Leo XIV. His words from 2023 now sound programmatic for the pontificate: "Our first task is to communicate the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus."

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This sits uneasily with his support for synodal rhetoric- which is effectively ecclesiastical management speak.