Archbishop Thompson sees new pope as a ‘bridge builder’ and ‘a man of peace’

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson speaks about newly elected Pope Leo XIV during a press conference on May 8 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, the same day that American Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was elected as the 266th successor of St. Peter. (Photo by Natalie Hoefer)

By Sean Gallagher

Pope Leo XIV made history on May 8 when he became the first American to be elected a successor of St. Peter.

At a press conference at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis later that day, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson told members of the media that he took “great pride” in Cardinal Robert F. Prevost being an American pope. (Related: Watch a video of the press conference)

Knowing that the new pope had served for decades in Peru as a missionary priest and then as a bishop, Archbishop Thompson quickly added, “I think also the people of Peru are taking great pride as well, and the Church universal.”

He went on to note that the 133 cardinals who elected Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, a native of Chicago and previously an Augustinian priest, had discerned in the days following the death of Pope Francis the needs of the Church and the world and the gifts required in a new leader of the Church to address those needs.

“They were looking for the person that had those particular gifts to meet those particular challenges at this particular time … regardless of what his nationality happened to be,” Archbishop Thompson said.

In discerning what the Church needed in its next leader, Archbishop Thompson said that the cardinals likely did not give thought to the Church’s relationship to American political trends, including those involving President Donald Trump.

“I don't think they were thinking in terms of how we would do politics here,” Archbishop Thompson said. “Most of the cardinals in there weren't thinking about President Trump or any other national figure in the United States. They were thinking about the needs of the world and the world Church. Remember, the pope serves as the shepherd for the Church universal, for Catholics around the world and all the countries.”

He took as a good sign that the cardinals were able to elect a pope only a day after the conclave had begun.

“I think it is a very strong indicator that the cardinals were united,” Archbishop Thompson said. “They knew what they were looking for. They read the signs of the times as they saw them through their prayer, through the guidance of the Spirit. And they recognized the cardinal among them who seemed to have those gifts.”

Archbishop Thompson noted that the new pope was the only American cardinal whom he had not met. But based on his knowledge of the former cardinal and the remarks he made after being elected, Archbishop Thompson described Pope Leo as “a bridge builder” and “a man of peace.”

In his missionary work in Peru and his ministry since January 2023 as prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops, Archbishop Thompson noted, Pope Leo had shown himself to be a man who could bring together people of differing viewpoints.

“He's known for being one who can listen well, dialogue well,” Archbishop Thompson said.

These skills, he went on, could aid the new pope as he sought to promote harmony among nations as Pope Francis and earlier popes had done.

Archbishop Thompson also expected him to be a pope, like his predecessors, to show pastoral care for all people, not just Catholics.

“He'll have concern for all, for the poor and for all those who are vulnerable, in need of a voice and needing of that solidarity,” said Archbishop Thompson.

Pope Leo, he said, is a “missionary” who “has that joy of the Gospel” and “a confidence in Jesus Christ.”

“I think that's what's going to serve any pope well, or any of us well,” Archbishop Thompson said. “It's to remain centered in Christ.”

Pope Leo has only been a bishop for 11 years, three less than Archbishop Thompson has served. And he became a cardinal less than two years ago. Archbishop Thompson expressed his amazement at the new pope's quick rise to leadership in the Church.

“Can you imagine less than two years being a cardinal and at your first conclave you get elected the pope,” he asked. “I can't imagine what's going on in his head.”

When asked if he hoped that the new American pope might make an apostolic journey to his native country, Archbishop Thompson remarked on the sudden limitations placed on Pope Leo by his election as bishop of Rome.

He recalled his thoughts about a future pope as he walked back to his office at the Archbishop Edward T. O'Meara Catholic Center after celebrating a Mass for Pope Francis on April 24 at the cathedral.

“I remember thinking about the freedom I had to go wherever I wanted to go,” he said, “and that some poor soul in just a couple weeks was not going to ever leave the Vatican grounds again without tons of security.

“So, you know, his life has changed, and changed drastically.”

With these changes and all the responsibilities that a pope has for the Church and the world, Archbishop Thompson encouraged Catholics across central and southern Indiana to pray for Pope Leo at the start of his ministry as bishop of Rome.

“The most important thing we can ever do is to pray,” he said, “to hold him up in prayer.”
 

(To watch Archbishop Thompson’s press conference, go to www.archindy.org/PopeLeoXIV/press-conference.html.) †