Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost), installed on May 8 as the first US pope, is marking his first Christmas with a more guarded, formal style than Pope Francis while still addressing issues such as social justice and immigration. He prefers prepared, measured remarks and signals much through dress, gesture and expression. Leo has reintroduced Tuesday rest at Castel Gandolfo, restored formal papal vestments, made few senior appointments so far and undertaken one foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon.
Guarded and Formal: How Pope Leo XIV Is Setting a New Papal Tone Ahead of His First Christmas
Leo XIV will be celebrating his first Christmas as pope (Andreas SOLARO)(Andreas SOLARO/AFP/AFP)
As he approaches his first Christmas as leader of the global Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) is drawing attention for a noticeably more guarded and formal style than his predecessor, Pope Francis — while remaining willing to speak plainly on issues such as social justice, poverty and immigration.
Measured Style, Clear Signals
Observers say Leo XIV communicates as much through gesture, dress and facial expression as through extemporaneous speech. Roberto Regoli, an Italian priest and professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, told AFP that whereas "Francis's style was very linked to his words," Leo XIV tends to convey emotion through his face and a penetrating gaze. He is described as "soft" but assured in public.
"The pope communicates by how he dresses, his gestures, his signals," — Roberto Regoli.
Early Months: Continuity With Subtle Shifts
Installed on May 8 as the first US pope, Prevost has so far shown continuity with Francis on many substantive matters while introducing differences in tone and practice. He has made relatively few senior Vatican appointments — a common early signal of papal priorities — and has not yet taken up residence in the Apostolic Palace, which Francis largely avoided.
Much of Leo XIV's agenda has been occupied with preparations for the Church's long‑planned Jubilee Holy Year. Internationally, he has made one foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon — a journey that had been arranged under Francis — during which he largely read prepared texts and greeted crowds with measured emotion rather than impromptu remarks.
Tradition, Institutions and a Modern Twist
Inside the Vatican, some officials welcome what they call greater respect for institutions and a more methodical governing style. A diplomatic source told AFP that Leo's timidity can be an evangelical form of respect for people, and contrasted that with occasions when Francis could be brusque in private.
Leo has reversed some administrative changes introduced by Francis and restored more formal papal vestments — reintroducing red capes and gold‑embroidered stoles that Francis had rejected. Yet he also shows a modern side: a smartwatch is sometimes visible under the sleeve of his white cassock.
Personal Routine And Public Voice
Leo has revived the older habit of taking Tuesdays as a day of rest at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence near Rome. There he says he plays tennis, swims, reads and takes phone calls; before returning to the Vatican he commonly fields reporters' questions. By contrast, Francis granted several exclusive media interviews during his pontificate; Leo has given only one in seven months.
The 70‑year‑old pope speaks confidently in English, Italian and Spanish — the latter acquired during two decades as a missionary in Peru — which helps his messages reach a broad international audience. In recent weeks he has been publicly critical of the treatment of migrants in the United States, calling it "extremely disrespectful," demonstrating his readiness to address contentious global issues.
Whether through restored ceremony, institutional emphasis or plainspoken commentary, Pope Leo XIV is carving out a papacy that balances tradition and institutional steadiness with a willingness to engage on moral and political concerns.
