So far, Pope Leo XIV has leaned fairly heavily into the legacy of his storied predecessor, Leo XIII, the long-reigning pope elected as a compromise candidate who was expected to live only a few years in office but gave the Church and the world – among other things – the seminal Catholic document on social teaching in the modern era.
Leo XIV quoted Leo XIII in his first official remarks to cardinals following his election May 8, and again in his homily during his official inauguration this Sunday.
He quoted the late 19th century pontiff – Leo XIII who was pope from 1878 until 1903 – at the end of his homily.
