American Pope and his challenges: Peace, Justice and Climate Crisis (comment

American news television brought the moved reactions of people who know or have ever met or have ever met him, but also ordinary Americans who were euphoric from the election of cardinals.

It has been said that its election could be an impulse to calm down the angry America or to return to basic values, such as love for neighbor and empathy – that it may be a legacy for a country that loses its credibility in the world.

Some felt that even though the choice was unexpected, it makes sense that in the situation in which international policy is, it is an American.

It was also said that the election of an American happened at a time when the position of the United States is changing in the world – because of Donald Trump and his administration.

The euphoria of many Americans from their papal « first time » is, of course, understandable, as well as an exaggerated prediction on the effect he could have Lion XIV. to the life of the US citizens.

But it is already clear that the Pope Leo XIV. He is far from birth – and already from his previous media manifestations and biography shows that many steps Donald Trump is essentially disagreed.

One of the values ​​that many have highlighted in the new Pope is its sensitivity to people on the margin of society, openness to the fate of migrants and people who escape from their homes.

For years he served in Peru, in times of political crises and turbulence. Perhaps we will not be wrong in the assumption that in addition to Trump’s contempt for refugees, Pope Leo will certainly be hindered by his climate skepticism.

Pope Francis In his Laudate Deum of 2023, he emphasized that Climate crisis It is also a moral question and its consequences are most affected by the poor and vulnerable.

He called on world leaders several times to take real steps – for example, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Because Pope Leo XIV. he identifies with the attitudes of his predecessor, it is wise to expect to continue this effort.

Of course, Trump celebrated the election of Leo XIV. As a great honor for America – despite the fact that in 2016 he described his predecessor as a very « political person » precisely because of his statements on migration and measures at the US border.

Since the Pope in his speech quite often repeated the word « peace » and the need for devotion of peace, it is likely that some Slovak politicians will seek to confirm their interpretations in it – for example, what should mean peace to peace Ukraine.

We hope that the new Pope is clear about who the victim and who the aggressor is. That he will have the courage to clear and fair distinction between those who suffer, and those who cause suffering.

Today it is difficult to predict what Pope will be the lion XIV, but if he does not turn away from the road that Francis married, the Cardinals had a happy hand.