To the Editor:
Re “An American Pope” (front page, May 9):
In an age of crises and confusion, it is no small thing to have a new pope. Humanity longs for a moral compass, and Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, may well be that rare guide. In him, we hope for the twin virtues of logic and justice. Let this papacy be a light in darkening times, and astonishingly, a rare moment to be proud to be an American.
But more than hope, we need courage. Authoritarianism is no longer creeping; it’s parading in capitals from Moscow to Budapest to Washington. The pope, above politics yet not beyond truth, can speak the inconvenient word when others remain silent.
And then there is capitalism, a brilliant machine now spinning wildly out of control. When so few hands hold most of the world’s wealth and billions grow poorer, divine justice demands a reckoning. A pope with clarity and courage can call for not just charity, but drastic change as well. So the wish “God bless America” might have a truer meaning.
Dimitris Eleas
Brooklyn
To the Editor:
I hope the importance of the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as pope is not lost on any American, whether Catholic or not. This new pope, who has spent his life championing social justice, stands in stark contrast to our selfish and cruel American president.
Could it be that the conclave deliberately selected an American pope to help us remember America the Beautiful? You remember that America, right? The America we all loved and believed in — America the Helpful — who fed the poor and starving around the world.
That America. Not Donald Trump’s America.
John R. Scannell
Sammamish, Wash.
To the Editor:
As we move deeper into the season of spring and new life, it is refreshing that the Roman Catholic Church has chosen a pope who is a leader who believes in inclusiveness rather than demonization of “other people.” President Trump has gone out of his way to cast aspersions on the people who are not “native born,” and particularly on many people in Latin America.
The new pope spent a number of years as a missionary in Peru. During his tenure there he became a naturalized Peruvian citizen. He is a dual national. Spanish is one of the languages that he speaks fluently. At a time when the United States is being led by a president who suffers from xenophobia, the roughly 1.4 billion Roman Catholics in the world are now led by a leader who believes in inclusion and lifting people — all people — up.
In these troubled times, the world needs a pope like Leo XIV more than ever.
Roland Nicholson Jr.
Washington
To the Editor:
On the world stage this American pope will be the counterforce to the American president — whether he wishes it or not.
Cheshire Frager
Queens
To the Editor:
I don’t see how it matters where Pope Leo XIV was born. He spent the majority of his religious life outside of the United States and recently at the right hand of Pope Francis. I think we do religion a disservice when we cherry pick from religious scripture to prove our political positions and a disservice to society when we allow the church to enter politics on any side.
I hope that Pope Leo XIV will preach the principles that Jesus taught and remember that some of the tradition in the church came from decisions made over the years by men, not by an infallible God.
Thomas Renner
New York
To the Editor:
To a strayed Catholic, Pope Leo XIV may confirm the existence of God. To receive him at a time when the clouds seem very dark in the United States is truly a blessing.
Neil Goodhue
Pebble Beach, Calif.
Presidential Profits
To the Editor:
Re “Trumps’ 3-Continent Rush to Profit Has Few Parallels” (front page, May 5):
Just as President Trump has minted a new generation of Republican politicians who emulate his bombastic style, tearing apart our social fabric and our institutions, we will soon have politicians who seek the Oval Office mainly to enhance their personal wealth.
There have always been politicians who use their office for personal gain, but nothing compares with the scale of our president’s greed. The idea of public service, long the litmus test for political leaders of all parties, will disappear, to be replaced by a profit-making model.
While Congress could and should act now to stop this trend in its tracks, given its poor oversight record so far in this administration, it is unlikely to do so. It may not be an exaggeration to say that soon we may all be living in USA Inc.
David Baldwin
Petaluma, Calif.
