Where is Pope Leo Taking the Church?

Did Francis make Robert Prevost a cardinal in 2023 to pass the torch to a man he knew would continue his agenda after his death?

Several years ago my husband and I attended the Catholic Identity Conference, Michael Matt's annual confab of traditionalists. It was a great weekend. Diane Montagna spoke about Francis and his dishonest description of the survey of bishops about the Traditional Latin Mass. Bishop Athanasius Schneider attended and offered a pontifical Mass at a local parish. I met Peter Kwasniewski and enjoyed many conversations with other faithful Catholics from around the country. No one minced any words about the crisis in the Church. While criticism of Pope Francis was charitable it was clear, truthful, and unambiguous. We were among the most courageous warriors for the faith.

So what happened?

Robert Prevost walked out on the balcony at St. Peter's as Pope Leo XIV. He wore the traditional vestments, had a big smile, chose the name of a great reformer pope, and mouthed lovely words for the cheering throng in the square. Some of the worst enemies of Christ, among them Fr. James Martin and Cardinal Blase Cupich, were all smiles as well. But most Catholics decided to give Leo the benefit of the doubt and watch and wait like a patient with early cancer. Fair enough.

That was May 8th. And here we are almost five months later and the latest exam shows the cancer growing. And many of those who previously warned about the patient's condition continue to act like all is well. In fact, they are cheering the cure! Nothing bad to see here. Not only is all well, but it's time to rejoice! Move along. 

Meanwhile, the patient is still suffering and, in fact, deteriorating.

Sad to say, Michael Matt is among those who have gone from refuse and resist to excuse and accommodate. These folks exaggerate Leo's orthodox words and pretty much ignore his heterodox actions.

Who is more dangerous in a battle: the enemy who wears his uniform and wields his weapon openly or the enemy in the ranks who appears to support the band of brothers, but looks for opportunities to stab them in the back? Leo is showing more and more signs of not only being Francis II, but with a quiet zeal that rivals that of his predecessor. 

We are told by the optimists that Leo is speaking in coded language to "break" his heterodox opponents but not to "eviscerate" them. [Source] We are told he is "deliciously skillful" and will use "synodality" to correct things. Frankly, I found the article making these claims incredibly naive.

Matt, on the other hand, presents Leo as a product of Vatican II who grew up with the new Mass and we can't expect him to understand what is basically unfamiliar to him. A man who is recognized for his intelligence and speaks numerous languages just doesn't get where traditionalists are coming from. He doesn't, so to speak, understand their language.

Hmm...

These two diametrically opposed images confound me. In the first, Leo is a highly intelligent diplomat who is using gentle, quiet, thoughtful tactics to put the Church back on course. In the second, he is a somewhat naive and clueless victim of Vatican II who needs to experience the traditional Latin Mass and dialogue with traditionalists so he can really understand the issues.

Really?

If I were a judge deciding between these two alternatives, I'd have to give them both the hook. "You're both wrong!" In my opinion Leo is one smart leader who knows exactly what he's doing: dividing the opposition and engaging in stealth tactics to continue the agenda of his predecessor. Shakespeare's eloquent reading comes to mind (once again), "To smile and smile and be a villain."

I know that sounds harsh, but when you are in a war, physical or spiritual, you better be smart enough to identify the enemy's tactics if you are going to develop a counter strategy. Seeing him for who he is must come first. Then you can form your battle plan.

So what's my evidence? Pope Leo's actions speak louder than his words and they are worrying indeed! Tomorrow I'll post a timeline of those actions. In the meantime, let us all pray for the pope, the magisterium, and the poor battered bride of Christ, Holy Mother Church.