The recent first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election to the papacy brought a spate of commentaries and analyses about the signals he was sending and the direction he seemed to be going as the Vicar of Christ.

While some of the commentaries were well-intended and insightful, one could get the sense that popes are now subject to the same kind of scrutiny once reserved for politicians, CEOs, and sports figures.

Is the Pope leaning toward this end of the spectrum or the other end? What do his bishop appointments say about his likes and dislikes? And will he draw the line on this or that group?

Some of these questions assume that there is a hidden agenda at work in this papacy. But what if there isn’t one?

On Pentecost 2025, Leo said, “The Church must always become anew what she already is. She must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race. In her, there cannot be those who are neglected or disdained.”

Those words reflect a mind that is more focused on the Sacred Heart of Jesus than on an ideology.

In ages past, most Catholics thought of a pope as a father who gave sure guidance amid the problems and challenges of the world. 

That simple approach allowed people to focus their energy on the day-to-day tasks of life in their families and parishes. Talk of papal “agendas” would have brought blank stares from most people. 

This month of June, with its emphasis on the Sacred Heart, might be as good a time as ever to refocus on the mission of the Church: to bring Christ’s love and Gospel to the world.

To that end, our Retreat Guide, Fire and Thorns, might be worth praying with. 

It can help remind us that the best agendas are centered on Our Lord.

In Christ,

Father Edward McIlmail, LC

Ask a Priest contributor