It’s a big change Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025. He is indeed prepared to assume the difficult task of shepherding the Catholic Church after the passing of Pope Francis on April 21. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he is inundated with religious obligations that would make any schedule hard to juggle. Furthermore, he juggles the tasks involved in governing Vatican City, the smallest sovereign city-state in the world.
Pope Leo XIV’s election would undoubtedly be a momentous event in church history. He’ll do so by ministering directly to the faithful and by continuing to cultivate diplomatic relationships with more than 100 countries. His day-to-day agenda will be filled with meetings. He’ll meet face to face with thousands of Christian pilgrims at his Wednesday General Audiences, as well as heads of state from around the world.
Responsibilities as Head of the Catholic Church
In his new role as the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has many responsibilities. He continues to financially minister to the faithful, attracting and supporting hundreds of millions of dollars in charitable outreach and social services worldwide. General Audiences alone attract several thousand to tens of thousands of attendees, underscoring the pope’s role as a public figure and spiritual leader.
Beyond his religious leadership, Pope Leo XIV will be thrust firmly into political struggle and decision-making. His pastoral experience in Peru has given him a distinct perspective on global trends affecting the church and society.
“He’s looking at a very broad overview of the universal church, the church as a whole,” – Don Briel
The pope’s new tasks won’t be limited to facing spiritual issues. The new pontiff will have to hold regular meetings with bishops and political figures. Every day is exhausting, from the wee hours with breakfast to the evening wrap-up, sometimes going past midnight. This punishing agenda is nothing new, shared by his immediate predecessors, Pope Francis, Benedict XVI and John Paul II.
Diplomatic Engagements and Global Influence
Pope Leo XIV’s new position will demand that he continue to build strong diplomatic ties. The Vatican’s role internationally, the Vatican plays a very important role in diplomacy. The new pope will need to thread the needle carefully in these tricky waters. His meetings with heads of state are crucial for fostering peace and understanding among nations.
This will be especially true of the pope’s capacity to stably represent the Catholic Church on a global stage. With more than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, his impact goes well beyond the sphere of religion. It equally drives social and political inequity.
“The papacy has assumed a much more visible, prominent role and has become, as a result, much more exhausting in terms of its obligations,” – Don Briel
This sentiment reflects the increasing expectations placed on modern popes to address contemporary challenges, from climate change to social justice issues.
A Grueling Schedule Awaits
Pope Leo XIV’s itinerary is expected to be quite rigorous. He will now be occupied by a schedule packed with appearances that require his focus. These encounters will further test his empathy and perception. Living out spiritual calling while ensuring representation in political spaces requires deep reserves of endurance and commitment.
The cardinals have understood the nature of their ordinary task. When exceptional circumstances present themselves, they want the pope to come to extraordinary conclusions.
“The cardinals as a congregation have a general responsibility to make routine decisions, but nothing fundamentally of an extraordinary nature, so it’s simply in a state of pause,” – Don Briel
As Pope Leo XIV embarks on this new journey, he will carry the weight of history while navigating the complexities of modern-day leadership within the Catholic Church.
