The election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025 has garnered global attention, not only as a significant event for the Catholic Church but also as a moment of renewed hope for interfaith understanding in a divided world. For the Centre for Interfaith Studies in Africa (CISA), this new papacy presents meaningful potential for advancing the work of dialogue, reconciliation, and interreligious engagement—particularly on the African continent, where religious diversity is both a source of rich heritage and a call to ongoing peacebuilding.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, USA, Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born pontiff. Nonetheless, his life and ministry have been anything but narrowly national. As a missionary and bishop in Peru for over 20 years, he collaborated closely with diverse communities in contexts marked by poverty, social tension, and pluralism. His Latin American experience—a region shaped by both deep Catholic roots and increasing religious diversity—has shaped him into a leader acutely sensitive to cultural and religious differences.
From the outset of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has shown an openness to interfaith dialogue. In his inaugural remarks and public gestures, he extended greetings to leaders of other faiths, particularly the Jewish and Muslim communities, emphasising the shared dignity of all people and the importance of walking together on the path of peace. His chosen motto, In illo Uno unum (“In the One, we are one”), drawn from the writings of Saint Augustine, reflects a profound commitment to unity without erasing difference—a foundation that resonates strongly with the spirit of interreligious dialogue.
This vision is particularly relevant to Africa. The continent continues to be a space of vibrant religious plurality, where Christians, Muslims, and adherents of African Traditional Religions often coexist. Yet, it is also a space where religion is sometimes misused as a tool for division or conflict. In this context, CISA perceives in Pope Leo XIV’s leadership a hopeful invitation to deepen interreligious understanding—not only at the academic or ecclesial level, but also within communities, schools, and social movements.
Pope Leo XIV’s previous work as a pastoral leader and missionary suggests that he values dialogue that is not merely theological but also practical—rooted in shared concerns for justice, mercy, and peace. His familiarity with contexts of marginalisation and poverty, especially in the Global South, may help draw renewed attention to how interfaith cooperation can address social challenges such as inequality, environmental degradation, migration, and religious extremism.
In the wake of recent global events that have strained relations between religious communities in various regions, many leaders have expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV will help to renew the Catholic Church’s commitment to interfaith outreach. His American upbringing, Latin American ministry, and now global pastoral role suggest a Pope who may bring fresh perspectives to long-standing efforts to build bridges across traditions.
At CISA, we believe that scriptural reasoning, interfaith education, and collaborative initiatives for social justice are essential tools for peace and dialogue. We are encouraged by signs indicating that Pope Leo XIV will support and expand such approaches within the Church’s engagement with other faiths. His papacy may also present an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between local communities and global religious leaders, ensuring that interfaith dialogue is rooted in lived realities.
In a time characterised by polarization, violence, and mistrust, Pope Leo XIV’s early gestures—humble, open, and oriented towards unity—serve as an invitation to continue the work of dialogue with renewed courage. We at CISA look forward to accompanying this new chapter in the Church’s journey with others and exploring how this moment might help catalyse deeper interfaith solidarity in Africa and beyond.