The Conclave Selects Robert Prevost as the Next Pope – A Protestant Perspective
Dale Perkins
Volume 40 Issue 4, 5 & 6 | Posted: July 21, 2025
I’ve watched some stuff re the election of Robert Prevost as the new pope and have received and read Phil Little’s piece. And I’ve attempted a commentary from my Protestant perspective. You might find it useful … If you do then of course use.
Here goes …
In the ‘great scheme of things’ of course who is selected as the next Pope of the RC church doesn’t really matter a lot in the great scheme of things.
A vote to select a man as pope, obviously valued and important to a constituency of high-ranking people within the institutional Christian church, is still of particular importance and significance. Since the elected person – Cardinal Robert Provost is purportedly just 69 years of age, we might expect him to be around for many years to come. Consequently what Robert Provost brings to the position will have a decided influence on the future character and mission of the RC church and therefore must not be taken lightly.
What do we know about the man? Phil Little has written a fine article about Robert Prevost (see article entitled “A Short Summary of the Man Who Became Leo XIV in the Other News category) and given ten reasons why selecting him was a wise and discerning moment for the Roman Catholic church. From my perspective (not being RC but a long standing Protestant with many years labouring inside the United Church of Canada) what jumps out for me is Leo XIV’s 20 years labouring inside the Peruvian society and culture.
He is apparently fluent in Spanish with a decidedly Peruvian accent, and he’s a citizen of that country and deeply grounded in its societal struggles. In that he has assimilated that attitude and perspective of the Peruvian poor and marginalized I salute and commend him for deeply understanding the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth and the core values of Christianity. Whatever his particular pedigree and country of origin, is immaterial and almost irrelevant. What he understands as the core essence of the Gospel and how it must be incarnated daily is what really matters. Obviously that must have influenced the Cardinals who chose him from their ranks to become their quintessential embodiment of the Christian church and its most important figurehead and leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Consequently, features like his 20 years in missions, parishes and communities, especially in poor areas is what impresses me. I recognize that was also true of Pope Francis, who nominated him as a Cardinal some time ago. I would hope Pope Leon XIV might continue that legacy.
I can sincerely celebrate his selection by the Enclave, and look forward to many years of his ministry and witness.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
And blessings.
Dale Perkins, Victoria, BC
Dale Perkins is a retired United Church of Canada minister.
Dale Perkins