Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, has the unique opportunity to heal deep divisions within the Catholic Church in America, especially between white and Latino communities.
By Joe D. May 9, 2025
With far-reaching consequences for American Catholics, the choice of Pope Leo XIV as the first U.S.-born pontiff heralds a historic turning point for the Catholic Church. Born to a French-Italian American father and a Spanish-American mother with Creole ancestry, Pope Leo’s heritage gives him a special perspective to handle the widening gap between white and Latino Catholics in the United States. Ongoing immigration discussions and Trump administration policies have especially aggravated the split by generating conflict between the two groups.
Leo’s choice has attracted notice from both inside and outside the church as he is a vocal champion of migrant rights. His profound awareness of the challenges experienced by migrant groups, together with his sympathetic and moderate viewpoint, provides him a strong platform to tackle the cultural and political concerns splitting the church. The choice of the new pope also arrives at a moment when the American Catholic Church is struggling with falling membership, especially among younger generations. Many think Leo’s ascension to power could help turn around this trend by re-engaging lapsed Catholics, particularly Latino Catholics who have felt distanced from the leadership of the church in the past.
The first official portrait of Pope Leo XIV. #PopeLeoXIV pic.twitter.com/T9orR619vQ
— Vatican Report (@VaticanReportIt) May 8, 2025
Pope Leo XIV: An Unusual Road to Mending Divisions
Pope Leo XIV’s choice is important not only for his nationality but also for his leadership style. Those who know former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the man who would become Pope Leo, characterize him as a reasonable and balanced person with a sense of humor that can diffuse even the most polarizing topics. Massimo Faggioli, a Villanova University historical theology professor, remarked, “He’s an empathetic centrist with a profound awareness of the intricacies of the church and its influence in society.”
Faggioli said Leo’s personal link to immigrant communities and Latin American origins provide him a unique edge in tackling one of the most urgent concerns for American Catholics: immigration. His experience with migrants in Latin America and Pope Leo’s family’s immigrant narrative make him especially qualified to bridge the cultural and political divisions in the American Catholic Church.
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The U.S. Catholic Church has found itself divided between defending migrant rights and aligning with conservative political positions, which many white Catholics in America tend to embrace, given the policies on immigration of the Trump administration at the forefront of national discussion. Latino Catholics, who constitute a considerable share of the U.S. church, have been left feeling alone and ignored by this split. Pope Leo’s personal background and advocacy of migrant rights provide him the chance to bring together these divided populations under the common ideals of compassion and religion.
A Bridge Connecting White and Latino Catholics
Representing one in five Americans, white and Latino Catholics are a major component of the worldwide Catholic Church. But in recent years, especially on immigration and social concerns like LGBTQ rights, the political and cultural gulf between these two groups has grown increasingly clear. A recent PRRI poll found a striking difference in how white and Latino Catholics viewed immigration-related concerns; white Catholics mostly backed Trump’s proposals while many Latino Catholics strongly opposed them.
For Pope Leo XIV, this divide offers both a chance and a difficulty. Andrew Chesnut, a Virginia Commonwealth University Catholic studies specialist, underlined how crucial this time is for the Catholic Church. Particularly on immigration-related matters, “the splits among American Catholics have only intensified under the present political environment. Pope Leo can mend these scars and bring back solidarity among the devoted, ” Chesnut remarked.
Simultaneously, the selection of the new pope might inspire more involvement among young Catholics. Pope Leo’s different viewpoint might speak to Americans who feel alienated from the church given its falling membership, particularly among the younger generation. Robert P. Jones, head of PRRI, claims that “Pope Leo’s rise could ignite renewed interest in the church, particularly among lapsed Catholics who have been disengaged in recent years.”
The Political and Economic Consequences
Pope Leo XIV’s choice may also affect the Catholic Church politically and financially as well. The pope, as the head of the greatest Christian denomination in the world, has major influence not just in religious concerns but also in political debate. Leo’s stance could affect the political scene in the United States, where Catholic voters are a major constituency, particularly as discussions on immigration, social justice, and religious freedom keep shaping national politics.
Economically, especially in light of scandals and declining membership, the Catholic Church in America has seen falling contributions. By appealing to both the Latino community, which is still a rising population in the United States, and by interacting with lapsed Catholics, Pope Leo’s leadership could assist to reverse this trend. A more inclusive strategy, especially in relation to the challenges of migratory populations, could draw back many who have left the church.
Looking Forward: Can Pope Leo Close the Gap?
The U.S. Catholic Church could be transformed by Pope Leo XIV’s ascension to the papacy. His experience, history, and sympathetic attitude might help to close the gap between white and Latino Catholics. Given the deeply established political and cultural divides that have shaped American Catholicism, nevertheless, the work will not be simple.
Should Leo be able to restore unity and relevance to the church in America by negotiating these difficulties with the same empathy and centrist attitude that won him respect in his last position, he could be able to do so. Though his choice signals the start of a new chapter that offers hope for both faith and politics, the next years will show whether this historic pontiff can close the breach between two parts of the U.S. Catholic community.
