Where Will Leo XIV Stand on War?

The obituary superlatives helped tell the tale of the late Pontiff. A search of the most common words or themes used to describe Pope Francis testifies to a “pontificate of the heart” characterized by “personal warmth,” “mercy,” “fraternity,” “humility,” “compassion,” and an emphasis on “inclusion,” the suspension of judgment, and peace. These characteristics often served his mission well. His embrace of Vinicio Riva, the then-53-year-old Italian who had suffered from neurofibromatosis 1 since childhood rightly touched the world. Riva, covered head-to-toe in tumorous growths and lesions unsurprisingly found himself often reviled by those around him, described the moment Francis embraced and blessed him: “He drew me close and hugged me tightly; he gave me a kiss on the face. My head was against his chest, and he welcomed me…and while he did it, I felt only love.” Nothing negative can be said against this. It was a profound, defining, and deeply moving pastoral moment. It should never be forgotten.