Is The New Pope A Catholic?

Today witnessed the election of a new Pope who, against all expectations, is believed to be a practicing Roman Catholic. His shock election fills a vacancy left by the death of the previous pope who, to the suprise of many [if his funeral rites are any indication] turned out to be Roman Catholic all along. So is the new Pope a Catholic too? We asked an expert.

From our Religious Affairs correspondent Hayley Mary

Whilst this is always a difficult question to answer definitively and one for which catholics around the world will be anxiously awaiting an answer, I think it is safe to say that on the basis of both his words and his body language, that the new pope almost certainly is a Catholic. I was confirmed in this view - as well as incredibly moved - when I heard his chosen name. This is always a clue to the way any new Pope is thinking. I believe the choice of Pope Jesus II says a lot about his personal faith, his relationship to Our Lord and Saviour and his general theological stance.

To be clear, in terms of his body language, his tendency to clasp hands together and look thoughtful during prayer, his frequent and well-practiced signing of the cross and his decision to wear traditional papal regalia were all indicative of a man who almost certainly is and probably intends to remain a Catholic.

If further evidence is required, I should add that his spoken words - so often a real, if unintended tell with regard to a newly elected pope’s thoughts and feelings - were notably religious and therefore deeply revealing of his unashamed Cathloic tendencies - at least to one, like me, well versed in the rites and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.

The new Pope: Will his overt Catholicity prove a stumbling block?

Today, Pope Jesus II was keen to stress for example - on this his first public utterance and with the whole world listening - the importance of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as well as the Virgin Mary. This will almost certainly settle the doubts of traditionalists who may have feared a less orthodox approach. That said, his reference to St Elvis of Memphis suggests that he will be his own man, will not easily forget his American roots or shun controversy when the opportunity arises. It is already clear that he is going to be a thoughtful pope and unquestionably a great one; perhaps in time yet another People’s Pope in the mould of at least 48 of his predecessors. At worst, this suggests, he is by instinct Holy Prince of Rome-adjacent.

All that said and at the end of the day, it was the many references in his address to concepts like faith, the Holy Catholic Communion, transubstantiation and the critical importance of living in the Vatican, attending Mass and putting in a balcony appearance at Easter [whilst he is Pope] which will give comfort to anyone questioning his profound Catholicity.

Outside these relatively arcane matters relating to the church itself, more general references in the Pope's address to current issues [bringing about instant world peace, the mission to evangelise the masses, the evils of contraception, the need to convert the LGBTQ+ community and the desire to bring women into the church in low paid [or preferably voluntary] and reassuringly menial roles which shows him elegantly walking the tightrope between conservative traditionalism and liberal social thinking. Though I believe the jury is still out, it likely he will follow in the footsteps of all of his successors from St Peter onwards in insisting on the importance of keeping the Roman Catholic Church fundamentally Roman Catholic.

So in summary - and let’s not forget he also prayed quite a bit and touched a very, very large bible from time to time whilst smiling pontifically at various servants arraigned around him - I think it’s safe to say that the papacy remains in Catholic hands for the moment at least and that all that smoke was a sign of collegiality not the result of quick thinking and the need to burn rigged ballot papers* and/or dissident cardinals [that was an earlier Pope [ed]].

Ergo Papa catholicus est - pro tem manifesto.

* See my recent article: Is the Papal Conclave in danger of being Trumped? All-American Catholic Herald, 7th May 2025

POSTSCRIPT: we would like to point out that this opinion piece was penned shortly after the new pope was announced. The author reserves the right to change her opinion the moment the new Pope comes face to face with reality and reveals hiostrue colours [genrally purple] .

Hayley Mary was formerly the BBC's Vatican correspondent but was cancelled after accusations of failing consistently to insult the intelligence of viewers.