The American Pope and the Renewal of Catholic Life
Monday, June 30, 2025
*Fr. Richard Vigoa
The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church, has sent a ripple of joy and wonder through the global Church. But nowhere is the excitement more tangible than in the United States. The uptick in attendance at papal general audiences is staggering, a phenomenon often seen with the election of a new pope. Yet this time, the interest seems to reach deeper into the heart of the Church and into the daily life of the faithful.
For many, the rise of an American pope is more than a novelty—it is the flowering of seeds sown over decades. From Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a "New Evangelization" to the creative surge in catechetical resources, the Church in the U.S. has grown into a powerful source of formation, renewal, and outreach. As Pope John Paul II emphasized in Redemptoris Missio, the New Evangelization calls for "a new ardor, new methods, and new expressions" of proclaiming the Gospel—and American Catholics have responded.
Catholic podcaster and apologist Matt Fradd recently captured this well, remarking that it should not be surprising that the first American pope comes at a time when "many of the catechetical tools used across the world come from the United States." From Ascension Press and Word on Fire to the Hallow app and the Augustine Institute, American Catholic ingenuity has been shaping global Catholic life. The "Bible in a Year" podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz is not only a best-seller in Catholic circles—it topped secular charts and brought Scripture into Catholic and Protestant homes alike.
This influence is not confined to resources. American Catholic apostolates like the Napa Institute, FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), Christ Renews his Parish, and Evangelical Catholic have spearheaded initiatives in evangelization, campus ministry, and parish renewal. These movements, rooted in the call of the New Evangelization, are not just producing programs—they are forming disciples.
Pope Leo XIV’s American background subtly but significantly influences his papacy. It lends him a familiarity with pluralism, a respect for religious liberty, and a pastoral sense shaped by grassroots Catholicism. Yet equally formative was his time serving as a missionary in Peru. There, in the outskirts of Lima and the highlands of Cusco and Apurimac, he encountered a Church marked by profound poverty and faith. That experience deepened his conviction that true renewal must be rooted in the sacraments, Scripture, and a Church that walks with the poor. His missionary years were not only pastoral—they were prophetic, preparing him to shepherd a global Church with tenderness and truth.
But enthusiasm alone does not sustain revival. The question that confronts us now is: how do we ensure this spiritual momentum leads to lasting transformation?
The answer lies in the parish. The parish is not just an administrative unit—it is the heart of the Church. Pope Francis reminded us in Evangelii Gaudium that parishes must become "centers of constant missionary outreach." That means every Catholic must see themselves not merely as consumers of sacraments, but as active participants in the life of the Church.
Sunday Mass is the cornerstone, but it cannot be the limit. We need small faith-sharing groups, ongoing adult catechesis, Bible studies, family ministries, and robust sacramental preparation. The liturgical year must shape our rhythms, and our sacraments must shape our hearts. Participation is crucial—not just to "go to church" but to "be Church."
The excitement surrounding Pope Leo XIV is not a finish line, but a starting place. We are being summoned anew to the joyful work of evangelization, the patient labor of discipleship, and the sacred duty of building up the Body of Christ. Let this historic moment inspire not only holy pride, but also purpose. May we renew our commitment to holiness, to community, and to mission. May the Church in the United States, energized by this providential moment, become ever more a beacon of faith—both to herself and to the world.
