White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, May 8, 2025, announcing the election of American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church. He chose the name Leo XIV, thus following a papal tradition marked by figures of reform and social commitment.
The new pontiff inherits a world polarized by geostrategic tensions, rising nationalism, and migration crises. Behind the spiritual symbol, what diplomatic direction will the Holy See take in a fractured world?
A powerful symbol for an American Pope in an age of globalization
The election of an American Pope undoubtedly takes on particular significance in the current geopolitical context. It reflects the Church’s desire to become more deeply rooted in contemporary realities, marked by globalization, international tensions, and social challenges.
This choice could also signal a desire to bring the Vatican closer to US concerns in a context where President Donald Trump is disrupting the world order. The choice of a pope is far from all predictions, and the first ever from the United States seems to correspond to the current challenges of globalization while maintaining a position of neutrality and dialogue on the international stage.
As a unique diplomatic actor, the Holy See, led by Pope Leo XIV, must continue to maintain the delicate balance between powers such as the United States, China, and Russia. An assertion of the Vatican’s voice is expected on global issues such as climate, peace, and social justice, but especially towards Africa, where many eyes are turning.
The Holy See’s Diplomatic Priorities in Africa
Africa is a continent experiencing rapid demographic and spiritual growth and is a key player in global geopolitics. If the previous pontificate marked a turning point in relations between the Vatican and Africa, it is up to the 69-year-old American pope to continue this mission by supporting the continent’s initiatives and helping it play a more influential role on the international stage.
With a dynamic youth, cultural richness, and unique challenges, Africa represents fertile ground for a Church in search of renewal. Will the new pope capitalise on this openness? With his rich career in service to the universal Church, the new pontiff is recognized for having a broad outlook on the world.
His international experience and pastoral commitment demonstrate a deep understanding of the global challenges facing the Church—something he will certainly use as a weapon of his pontificate. Pope Robert François Prevost (Leo XIV) was born in Chicago in 1955 in the United States. He replaces Pope Francis.
By Mangue Man Mut
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