Pope Leo XIV, Pioneer of Global Moral Transformation
JAYANEWS.COM-JAKARTA- The election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, May 8, 2025, was warmly welcomed by Catholics around the world and the world community. For many groups, including activists and religious thinkers in Indonesia, this moment is not just a change in spiritual leadership, but a new beginning for the role of the Catholic Church in responding to the dynamics of the times.
“The choice of the name Leo is not trivial. It is a strong signal that the new Pope wants to continue the spirit of Pope Leo XIII who fought for workers’ rights and human dignity,” said DR. Capt. Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa, S.SiT., M.H., M.Mar as the Expert Council of the Central Board of the Catholic Youth, in Jakarta, (09/05/2025).
Furthermore, DR. Capt. Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa added that Pope Leo XIV is known as a down-to-earth person, close to the people, and has a long track record of service in poor and marginalized communities. According to him, this is important, because the Church is currently challenged not only to teach morality from the pulpit, but to go down into the midst of humanity’s struggles—in their wounds and hopes.
With a background as an American citizen who was once a missionary and leader of a religious order, Pope Leo XIV is believed to have a global perspective that is able to bridge geopolitical tensions with universal human values. “He came at a time when the world was fragmented socially, economically, and ecologically. The world is waiting for a leader who is not only religious, but also prophetic,” explained DR. Capt. Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa.
In Capt. Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa’s view, the Pope’s role does not stop at internal Church affairs. The world today needs a courageous moral voice, including on cross-border issues such as the climate crisis, social injustice, and the challenges of the digital era. “Pope Leo XIV must be able to make the Church not only a guardian of spiritual heritage, but a pioneer of global moral transformation,” said Capt. Hakeng.
The leadership of the new Pope has also received special attention from young Catholics, including in Indonesia. For Catholic youth organizations, the election of Pope Leo XIV brings hope for a more open, inclusive, and relevant direction of the Church to the voices of young people. “Young people today need a Church that is present as a friend. One that can listen, dialogue, and accompany their search for the meaning of life,” said Capt. Hakeng.
He emphasized the importance of a more empathetic and contextual pastoral reform. “Pope Leo XIV must encourage an approach to faith education that is not only oriented towards dogma, but forms social awareness, critical, and down-to-earth spirituality,” he said.
According to DR. Capt. Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa, the Indonesian Catholic Church can also take inspiration from the reformist spirit of the new Pope. Especially in strengthening service-based leadership and the involvement of youth and women in church life. “This can be a momentum for Catholic youth organizations in the country to transform themselves as agents of social change and promoters of interfaith dialogue,” said Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa.
As a country with high religious diversity, Indonesia is called Captain Hakeng as a strategic field for the Pope’s mission to promote tolerance and interfaith cooperation. “We hope that Pope Leo XIV will continue to encourage the Church to be more active in building moral coalitions with other religions, in order to respond to common challenges such as radicalism, poverty, and environmental degradation,” said DR. Capt. Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa.
Pope Leo XIV’s leadership has only just begun, but the echo of his hopes has been heard strongly. With an optimistic tone, he closed his statement, “We believe that Pope Leo XIV is not only the leader of the Catholic Church, but also the shepherd of humanity who is looking for direction in the midst of a turbulent world,” added Capt. Hakeng. (*)
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