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By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture, Jan 07, 2026
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
Through the first eight months of his pontificate, Leo XIV has been a calming presence in Rome. There have been no shocking statements from the apostolic palace to prompt sensational headlines, no dramatic policy announcements to unveil grand new plans. Vatican-watchers are still waiting to see what sort of papacy this will be. The consistory of cardinals meeting this week— his first unexpected initiative— may answer their questions.
To date Pope Leo has appeared content to continue along the path set by Pope Francis. He has lavished praise on his predecessor, and more importantly he has left the personnel of the last papacy in place, to carry out the programs that were already underway. Yet he has reversed a few of Pope Francis’ organizational reforms (the restructuring of the Rome diocese and of Vatican financial affairs). He has also shown a keen appreciation of Catholic traditions and a respect for Church law, contrasting with the iconoclastic approach of Pope Francis. …
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