The Roman Catholic Church has a new pope—and for the first time in history, he’s an American. Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has stepped onto the world stage. But before we get too caught up in headlines and pageantry, let’s be clear: whether the pope wears the mask of a reformer or a traditionalist, the real issue is this — the Roman Catholic Church still needs to be reformed by the Word of God.
Pope Leo XIV has already been branded by some as the ‘Social Justice Pope.’ Born in Chicago, seasoned in the jungles of Peru, and now sitting on the throne of St. Peter in Rome, he seems poised to carry on the progressive themes of his predecessor, Pope Francis. His chosen papal name nods to Leo XIII, the pope behind Rerum Novarum, the encyclical that addressed workers’ rights and social justice issues. That’s not subtle. It’s a strong signal.
Within evangelicalism, we have seen leaders who try to marry social justice causes with the gospel. But for many of us, this raises a red flag. The mission of the church is to preach Christ crucified—not to become a global NGO. Social justice divorced from biblical justice is another gospel — and there’s only one true gospel.
Reform or rebrand?
Pope Leo XIV may talk about compassion, inclusion, and lifting up the poor. And yes, Christians should care about justice. But will his papacy focus more on an attempt at ‘going woke’? Will Catholicism drift further into trendy moralism and political activism, instead of truly reforming itself according to the Bible and proclaiming salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone?
Leo XIV remains publicly committed to Rome’s traditional teaching on abortion and male-only priesthood. But he has also criticised nations who try to secure their borders and control immigration. He has emphasised economic redistribution, and expressed openness to rethinking the role of women in leadership — not sacramentally, but administratively. These shifts may earn applause from progressives, but they won’t solve Rome’s deeper problem: a gospel obscured by ritual, tradition, and historical heresy.
Reaction from within—and outside
Inside the Catholic Church, conservatives are watching nervously. They wonder if Pope Leo XIV will continue to blur doctrinal lines and favour pastoral ambiguity over theological clarity. His past record on abuse scandals has drawn scrutiny, and questions remain about how strongly he’ll hold the line on Rome’s moral teachings — or whether he’ll pivot for popularity.
Among evangelical and Reformed circles, the concern is sharper. When the Church of Rome elevates social justice as its highest good, it distracts from the far more urgent message: mankind’s need for reconciliation with a holy God. This is, after all, the same Roman Catholic Church that still denies justification by faith alone, prays to saints, and elevates Mary beyond what Scripture permits.
Why it matters for us
If Pope Leo pursues progressive moral issues, and moves the Roman Catholic Church away from its traditional ethical teaching, that may have one of two implications for us as evangelicals. On the one hand, it could push us more to the margins, as yet another established denomination abandons key ethical doctrines. This could make it easier for the authorities to clamp down on us for holding to traditional biblical values, as we appear to be outside the ‘mainstream’ of Christianity.
But on the other hand, it could present an opportunity for the true gospel. If the larger denominations abandon their traditional ethical teachings, genuine Christians will shine more brightly in the darkness. Here in the UK, it’s certainly true that the churches who are growing are those who hold unashamedly to the truths of the Bible. It’s progressive and liberal churches that are emptying.
One thing’s for sure
Pope Leo XIV’s ascension may make headlines. But no pope — no matter how humble, how American, or how social-justice-minded — can change the fact that Rome’s gospel is not the true gospel of Christ. For Bible-believing Christians, this moment is a fresh reminder: the world doesn’t need a new pope — it needs the old truth. The truth that salvation is found not in sacraments or social reform, but in Christ alone.
Let’s pray for the millions still trapped in a system of works and tradition. And let’s keep preaching the Word—boldly, clearly, with grace, and without compromise. Soli Deo gloria.
