Leon XIV: diplomacy without a crash

Two Americans, two diametrically opposed styles : As much as Donald Trump wants to be omnipresent and imposes his views, as much Leon XIV is discreet, attentive. But the churches, the peoples – for which the voice of a pope remains influential – are impatient of significant initiatives in a world in chaos. How will he work for this “disarmed and disarming peace” which he advocated during his election?

Compared to François, the way is different. Back to “a more professional diplomacy”, according to the formula of Vatican François Mabille. Robert Francis Prevost, that the missionary experience in Peru and the many trips at the head of the Augustins have formed, is a connoisseur of the complexities and traps of the international situation.

Léon XIV consults and issues peace exhortations without appointing one or the other by nameleaving the frank cubits to the immense well-established and discreet diplomatic network of the Holy See, which François had sometimes short-circuited by shattering outings, as to call the Ukrainian soldiers to “hoist the white flag”.

For “Ukraine martyr”, Leon supports peace efforts, but a peace that is “fair and lasting”. His conviction of the Russian invasion before his election explains as the Kremlin rejected the offer, made in the spring, of a mediation of the Holy See? Is there a possible candidate for possible peace negotiations? As for Gaza, the Pope knows that he is walking on eggs.

And the call of the singer Madonna so that she looks there seems very illusory! He condemns, like François, “barbarism” of the two camps, “collective punishments, forced trips”.

But for the sovereign pontiff, the fights for peace also go through ecology, Advanced in ecumenical and interreligious dialogues, human management of migration and a breath rendered to multilateralism and international institutions, mistreated by the powerful, in the first place Donald Trump. A patient, discreet but remains resolved diplomacy.