“Pope Leo XIV: A Political Rorschach Test?” written by Professor of History and Political Science Margaret Susan Thompson, was published in American Catholic Studies. Following is an excerpt:

Underlying all that is said here is an understanding of “politics” in its broadest sense, as pertaining to power: its exercise, its implications, and its structure. While it is unlikely that Leo will engage directly or explicitly in ways that intersect directly with U.S. electoral or governmental affairs—although, as a citizen he is entitled to continue to vote—it is quite likely that he will model forms of leadership and speak about issues of justice and human worth which inevitably—and appropriately—will be interpreted to have implications for both national and global affairs.

As a person who has lived on three continents and traveled extensively through three more, and as someone who has thought deeply about the implications of gospel values for both church and world, Leo is well aware that all that he says and does will be examined and parsed for their repercussions. But I would contend that Leo's past and future words may most clearly represent a kind of Rorschach test: revealing as much about those receiving them as they do of the pope himself.

For example, previously disillusioned “raised Catholic” folks like James Carville and Norah O'Donnell declare that Leo's ascendency gives them unexpected hope. Democratic Senator (and former Jesuit lay missioner) Tim Kaine believes Leo will follow in the footsteps of Francis's “servant leadership,” and Christopher White has reported that those who supported Francis's vision for the church—including Kansas City, Kansas, Archbishop Shawn McKnight, were “ecstatic” when Prevost was elected. In contrast, theologian Massimo Faggioli noted that some on the right believe “Leo's reclaiming of some symbols of papal power has enabled him to demonstrate his autonomy from his predecessor [and] has also encouraged those in conservative circles to see the new pope as an ally.”