“Peru has forged a Pope, a Leo XIV is not understood without Peru”

“What caught my attention were two things: first, the rapid election. There were many candidates that were discussed … a set of ‘stars’, which made the conclavehe states.

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“The second was the reception, after the penalty for the farewell of Pope Francis. There in the Plaza de San Pedro it was incredible when the name of Pope Leo XIV was announced, and people shouted in Italian Pope Leone, Pope Leone. That is something very of the spirit. I am always surprised how the Holy Spirit and the emotion of people can act in that sense ”add.

This Sunday marked the beginning of the pontificate of Leo XIV. About his message and the future of the Church we talked with Father Juan Bytton:

– What key elements highlights the message of Pope Leo XIV that can mark the course of his pontificate? He criticized the economic paradigm that exploits the resources of the land and margins the poorest

He began with the spirituality to which he belongs, Augustinian Father, citing San Agustín and the Augustinians, something that seems very important to me. I would keep three ideas strength of the homily: the first, how to customize. It was the gospel of the call to Peter by Jesus. Then he says, I am a servant who comes to you as a brother who wants to get a servant of faith and joy, touring with you the path of God’s love, who loves us all united in a single family. It was a very personalized homily. The second, it seems very good to having begun denouncing a system that kills, that damages the earth and kills the poor, in the sense of a harmful economic system, that seems very important to me. And the third, on the church internally, when he says dream, I wish a united church, to be testimony, unity and communion for the world. It refers to the Church, but also to the world, where there is so much discord, so much division, both prejudice. It seems that in a few days, he has captured that one thing to be a bishop, another Cardinal, and another being Pope.

– What reception do you think this call to internal unit will have in the Church, especially between the most conservative and progressive sectors?

He aims to be the bridge that unites, which allows everyone to communicate. But here there is a very important thing, the Gospel progresses, continues to illuminate the world, and that means that the reforms that the Church needs to convey the authenticity of the Gospel imply that it is very attentive and discern what things, what dynamics, what processes are being given. Ourselves as men and women of the Church we have to renew ourselves, we have to become to get to all. So, that path in which Pope Francis put a lot of emphasis, the synodal road, that Pope Leo XIV has mentioned, I think he will allow dialogue, agree, discern, listen to all the voices. In the dynamics, we seek to continue advancing, continue walking in the reform of the Church.

– Many see in the new Pope a continuity figure with Francisco, but also with different nuances. What aspects of the beginning of their papacy confirm or contradict that perception?

It is continuity. You have to make it clear, the cardinals with their vote have said that they want to continue the reform of Pope Francis, that is very clear. In a fourth vote, there were more than 100 votes for Robert Prevost, that means there is a unit to the inmate of the cardinals. Logically, Leo XIV has its own dynamics, its own nuances, its own characteristics. Francisco has been a city shepherd. Leo XIV has been from city and country. He has been a bishop of a population like Chiclayo, and with all that that means. He is a missionary of heart. I think that is going to permeate your pontificate a lot. Pope Francis promoted a lot from reflection, discernment. In Leo XIV I feel that its missionary dimension will be very strong. Soon he will start traveling, he will go to Türkiye, so I think that is a first sign.

A second sign is, he already said it, all that theme of new technologies, artificial intelligence, all these boundary issues. I believe that he too, for his training and for his personal interests, will put a lot of emphasis on this.

And third, for example, it is seen that there are quieter, more classic celebrations in the Vatican. Several attracts attention to the use of Latin; Well, that is the beginning of the pontificate, you can use Latin, bless in Latin. The Pope receives all the delegations with the Mozzetta, which is more classic. Pope Francis had another style. Therefore, it is very important to know how to distinguish, but not to oppose, not say that because now the Pope wears like this, he returns to the tradition of the Church. That is, as if Francisco had not been in the tradition of the Church. These dichotomies are a bit dangerous.

There is no doubt that Leo XIV has his own style, but let’s say one thing, there Peru has a lot to do, because he has formed in Peru. I always say: Peru has forged a Pope, because a Leon XIV is not understood without Peru, for his years in the country as a pastor.

– That Latin American, Peruvian vision of the Pope, what strengths will give his pontificate?

The first thing is closeness. While one thing is to be a bishop and another being a potato, I think he will not lose closeness to all. Then, the social sensitivity when choosing the name for the betrayal and strength of Pope Leon XIII with the social doctrine of the Church, which the Pope has already appointed it. And the sensitivity for being close to the people who suffer, to the marginalized. We saw that when he used his words today for those who are violated by the system, which are the most affected. I think that sensitivity that you have managed to forge, work and develop in Peru will serve you a lot in your pontificate.

– The Pope has received the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. What can be expected from your potified regarding the great problems of the world such as wars?

Without a doubt, we will have a very attentive pope to these global situations. He already said it: ‘Peace is with you,’ it started. And now in this context with countries in conflict, in this case, Ukraine against Russia, it is very significant that the Ukrainian President has been received in a private audience finished the ceremony. Those are very strong signs. And so it was what he said to the diplomatic corps on Saturday, that the Church is offered as a mediator. I think that just as Pope Francis with his reforms dynamized the Church in a way, now Pope Leo XIV I think the Church will boost towards being a peace bridge, being mediators, peace facilitators. I think that will emphasize a lot in his pontificate, and he will approach those countries that are in conflict.

– Where do you think the Church will go in controversial matters such as the blessing to same -sex couples, the role of women in the church or priestly celibacy?

I know Prevost, we have worked for a few years in Peru, at the Catholic University, on the Synod Camino in Rome we have been together for two months in different years; So, I know that he does not leave any subject to the air. It does not block any topic. He is a very serene person to dialogue, to reflect, in weighing, in going to the root. It does not rule out, it does not give issues for closed. His personality shows it. Therefore, that will reflect it in your ministry. You have to wait, you have to see. I believe that history always shows us meaning. Pope Francis was a prophet, opened doors, windows, many cold, as Juan XXIII said, many scared. Now Leo XIV does not close doors. On the contrary. Who are entering through the doors opened by Pope Francis? How to accept people? How to recognize that we are all sons and daughters of God? And how also this, the teaching, the tradition of the Church, all illuminated by the Gospel, allows us to walk in truth and love? That is key in mercy and justice, in truth and in love. That union is strong. We cannot close the door to anyone. As the Gospel says, who is free of sin that has the first stone. And at the same time we have to help be better people. Not only in the case of homosexual couples, but also in the case of war countries, in marriages in difficult situations. There are so many limits that I now believe that Pope Leo XIV will put the touch of depth and serenity in analysis and reflection, and will help us all.

It is important because we automatically judge. We broadcast very fast judgments. I think the Pope will help us stop a little, to be more radical in the sense of going more to the root of each situation, of each problem, of each border theme. That seems very interesting and very hopeful.