after 6 months of pontificate, has the pope found his own method?

“Leon XIV is so discreet that to know him, we have to trust what his former parishioners in Peru tell us!” Not without humor, Pauline, a sixty-year-old from Eure-et-Loir, is surprised by the relative media absence of the pope, elected on May 8, 2025, almost six months ago.

It must be said that after Francis’ shock pontificate, his successor seems to take things with more measure. “Leon XIV immediately got to work after his election,” assures Romilda Ferrauto, special advisor to the Holy See press room. But he moves forward with a certain caution, whereas Francis could react quickly when situations scandalized him.”

Multiplication of announcements from Rome

In recent weeks, however, the news from Rome has been adding up. The first arrived on September 26, with a high-level appointment within the Roman curia, that of Mgr Filippo Iannone as prefect of the dicastery for bishops, an institution responsible for advising the pope in the appointment of half* of the world’s bishops.

A few days later, the apostolic exhortation Dilexi you forcefully reaffirmed the central place of the poor at the heart of the Church’s mission, reassuring those who wondered about how Léon would take on Francis’ legacy.

On October 23, the Pope exposed himself even further, with a vibrant speech addressed to representatives of popular movements: “I declare today: land, housing and work are sacred rights, for which it is worth fighting (…). I am with you!”

As for those who were waiting for the Pope’s first pastoral visit outside Italy, the answer came on October 7. These will be Turkey – where the pope will celebrate with the Orthodox patriarchate the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea – and Lebanon. A journey with strong geopolitical and ecumenical issues.

Thursday, October 23, the common prayer for the Creation of the Holy Father with King Charles III had already confirmed this ecumenical audacity: for the first time since the Anglican schism in 1534, the highest representatives of the Catholic Churches and of England prayed together. Yes, the pontificate is off to a good start.

An asserted geopolitical role

Another sign that Leo XIV has found his feet: the new format he established for meeting the press. Attached to the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, in the Roman countryside, he goes there regularly on Tuesdays, a traditional day off at the Vatican. In the evening, leaving the residence, he walked a few steps before getting into his car, giving the journalists present an opportunity to question him.

“He is committed to this meeting,” they said in Rome. He finds it important to have this opportunity to express himself on current issues.” During these exchanges, Leo XIV did not hesitate to express himself incisively. “Some are against abortion but for the death penalty, which is not really pro-life. Others will declare that they are against abortion, but agree with the inhumane treatment of immigrants in the United States. I don’t think that’s pro-life either,” he said in front of the cameras on September 30.

Spontaneous statement or words carefully weighed in advance? This direct reference to the internal politics of a country is, in any case, unusual for a sovereign pontiff – even more so when it concerns his country of origin. And shows that Léon fully claims his geopolitical role.

Serenity found at the curia

It was also during one of these mini-press conferences that Leo “The cardinal (Pietro Parolin) expressed the opinion of the Holy See very well,” he said at the time.

Beyond the diplomatic field, some saw it as a way for the sovereign pontiff to indicate his desire to keep the Italian cardinal in his position as number two at the Vatican, which he has occupied since Pope Francis appointed him there in 2014.

Because if the election of Leo

Although there are probably no personal enmities between him and senior officials, they were nevertheless chosen by his Argentine predecessor, according to his own affinities and criteria. Among them, a few have sparked strong internal criticism.

“Some want to see heads roll,” confides a well-informed observer. Even if there is serious concern about finances, there is a newfound serenity among the employees of the curia. On the other hand, the heads of dicasteries and senior officials of the Secretariat of State remain waiting…”

A change of method

Even though Leo XIV has now set the tone for his pontificate, this expectation is also found within the Church. The question of liturgical quarrels is an eloquent example. With his permission, a mass was celebrated according to the Tridentine rite in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Saturday, October 25. A first since 2022, in apparent contradiction with the motu proprio Traditions custodes of Pope Francis, who had severely limited its use.

Should we understand that he is preparing to reverse these restrictions? Nothing is less certain, since various bishops promoted in recent months have stood out for their zealous application of Traditions custodes. For now, followers of the ancient liturgy remain waiting.

While taking on Francis’ concerns – notably his concern for the poor, migrants and the environment – ​​Leo XIV therefore distanced himself from them through his manner and refusal of abruptness. If his speeches and homilies recall Benedict XVI, as well as his choice to use certain ornaments specific to the pope, his style reflects the image of a more accessible personality.

So, who is Leo XIV? “We discover it little by little,” continues Pauline: “very close to François in substance, very different in form.” And as Isabelle, a Parisian Catholic, says, “perhaps a silent pope isn’t any worse…”

*Other appointments depend on the dicastery for the Oriental Churches or the dicastery for the evangelization of peoples.