Pope Leo XIV Advocates for Inclusive Dialogue in the Church

Following his installation, Pope Leo XIV highlights the importance of inclusivity and active listening within the Catholic Church, promising to uphold the tradition of dialogue established by his predecessor.

In the fall of 2024, Pope Leo XIV, previously a cardinal, participated in extensive discussions within the Vatican focused on the pressing challenges confronting the Roman Catholic Church. The roundtable included diverse representatives such as an Ethiopian cardinal, archbishops from Cameroon and Kenya, a cardinal serving in Mongolia, and bishops from Texas and Liberia. In a notable display of inclusivity, the discussions saw the participation of non-clerical voices, including a Catholic podcaster from Dallas and a business consultant from Melbourne.

Each participant was afforded three minutes of uninterrupted time to share their perspectives, fostering an environment where "every voice had equal value," as noted by Susan Pascoe, chair of Catholic Emergency Relief Australia, who was present at the meetings. The dialogue, often lasting over 11 hours a day for four weeks, was marked by the presence of Pope Francis, who lent an ear to the discussions, creating a rapport with attendees, including college student Wyatt Olivas, who humorously referred to him as his “bestie in Christ.”

When Pope Leo XIV addressed the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after his appointment, he reiterated his commitment to fostering a “synodal church.” This concept embodies the essence of dialogue between church leaders and laypeople, intending to build upon the legacy of Pope Francis. The new pope's resolve to promote open communication signals a transformative wave in church governance, prioritizing the voices of both clergy and laity in the decision-making processes.