Pope Leo XIV: A New Evangelical Hope?

As a Protestant Evangelical Christian, I have often looked at the Catholic Church with a certain level of skepticism. The rituals, the hierarchy, the traditions — they all seem so far removed from the simplicity of the Gospel. Yet, with the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, something has caught my attention.

Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the first American pope is also a citizen of Peru (this I thought was great since I am also a Peruvian as well as having been raised in the U.S since I was a kid). His background is unique, but what truly stands out to me as a follower of Jesus Christ is his emphasis on putting Christ first.

In his inaugural speech from the Vatican balcony, Pope Leo XIV declared:

“We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge that leads us to God and His love.”
— Pope Leo XIV, Reuters

These words struck me deeply. As an Evangelical, I firmly believe that our faith begins and ends with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, unmediated by clergy or traditions. Hearing a pope, the head of the Catholic Church, articulate that Christ must be first and foremost was unexpected and, quite frankly, refreshing.

Of course, as a Protestant, I do not align with Catholic doctrine in many areas — the veneration of Mary, the sacraments, the papacy itself. Yet, in his first homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized something that transcends denominational boundaries: the centrality of Jesus Christ in personal faith. He stated:

“It is essential to do this, first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion.”
— Pope Leo XIV

This is the kind of message that echoes through the walls of Evangelical churches worldwide.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV also reflected on the Gospel question Jesus posed to Peter: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” He emphasized Peter’s confession as a foundational truth:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
— Pope Leo XIV

He elaborated that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; the only Savior who reveals the face of the Father. This acknowledgment of Christ’s unique role in salvation is a cornerstone of Christian faith.

Could it be that God is using Pope Leo XIV to turn the Catholic Church toward a more Christ-centered focus? Perhaps. While I may not agree with all Catholic teachings, I cannot ignore the profound impact that such words may have on millions of Catholics around the world. If Pope Leo XIV continues to lift up the name of Jesus and point people to a personal relationship with Him, then perhaps his papacy will serve as a bridge — not between denominations but between individuals and Christ Himself.

And that, to me, is worth hoping for.

Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, who embraced a more progressive stance, including promoting inclusivity for homosexuals and even engaging in interfaith dialogues that some saw as compromising the exclusivity of Christ, Pope Leo XIV appears to be a centrist leader. Pope Francis’ actions, such as bringing shamans into church settings and suggesting that all gods are one, were controversial and widely criticized by Evangelicals for straying away from the Gospel-centered message of Jesus Christ.

However, Pope Leo XIV’s early emphasis on Christ as the central focus gives reason for hope. Perhaps the Lord will use him as a unifying figure, bringing together Evangelicals, Catholics, and Protestants to focus on what truly matters — a closer, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If he continues to call people to put Jesus first, he may indeed serve as a vessel for bringing people closer to the true Gospel message. His powerful words — “We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge that leads us to God and His love.” — remind us that the ultimate focus must always be on Jesus Christ, the true source of salvation and unity.