History professor Donald Prudlo recently discussed Pope Leo XIV’s choice of name with Vatican News, highlighting the similarities between the challenges faced by Leo XIII in the 19th century and the issues we face today.
By Christopher Wells
After his election, Pope Leo XIV met with the College of Cardinals to explain why he chose his papal name. He mentioned that he was inspired by Pope Leo XIII, who addressed social issues during the industrial revolution in his encyclical Rerum novarum. Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need for the Church to respond to the challenges posed by the current industrial revolution and advancements in artificial intelligence, focusing on human dignity, justice, and labor.
According to Dr. Donald Prudlo, Warren Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Tulsa, Pope Leo XIII faced significant social changes during his time and sought solutions to pressing issues. Similarly, we are now experiencing a period of immense social change that challenges human dignity. Pope Leo XIV’s choice of name signifies the Church’s commitment to addressing these challenges, particularly those related to artificial intelligence.
Dr. Prudlo draws parallels between Pope Leo XIII’s era and our own, highlighting the Church’s response to societal changes. In an interview with Vatican News, he discusses the challenges faced by the Church at the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.
Q: Doctor Prudlo, can you elaborate on the connection between the times of Leo XIII and our current era, as mentioned by Pope Leo XIV?
Dr. Prudlo: Pope Leo XIII faced social challenges during his reign from 1878 to 1903, marking the transition to the 20th century. He addressed pressing social issues, notably in his encyclical Rerum novarum, laying the foundation for Catholic Social Teaching. Pope Leo XIV acknowledges the parallels between his predecessor’s time and our own, emphasizing the Church’s engagement with serious societal problems.
Q: How do you interpret the reference to a new industrial revolution by Pope Leo XIV?
In Pope Leo XIII’s era, urbanization and poor labor conditions characterized the first industrial revolution. Workers faced challenges from business owners and political ideologies. Pope Leo sought to protect labor rights amidst these changes. Pope Leo XIV’s mention of a new industrial revolution likely refers to contemporary challenges to human dignity, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Embracing the Dignity of Work and the Human Person: Pope Leo XIV’s Vision
Emphasizing the importance of work and the dignity of the human person, Pope Leo XIV is at the forefront of addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, mechanization, and robotics in today’s world. While Pope Leo XIII focused on blue-collar labor during the Industrial Revolution, Pope Leo XIV recognizes the impact on white-collar workers, office workers, programmers, and educators as well.
Throughout history, the Church has accompanied humanity through radical transitions, providing measured and definitive responses to help individuals maintain their dignity and justice in their work and personal lives. Pope Leo XIV aims to continue this tradition by addressing the exploitation of workers, particularly in developing countries, and advocating for fair labor practices worldwide.
Q: The Importance of Addressing Economic Issues
Building on the foundation laid by Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum novarum, Pope Leo XIV continues the Church’s comprehensive social teaching by emphasizing the relationship between humanity and God. This includes advocating for a living wage, the right to form workers’ unions, and the dignity of labor. By focusing on human dignity, Pope Leo XIV aims to provide a vision of social justice that endures into the 21st century.
Throughout history, subsequent Popes, including Pius XI, Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict, and Francis, have continued to address economic issues and social justice, following the legacy of Rerum novarum. While some may question the Pope’s authority on these matters, the Church, led by the Pope, has a responsibility to speak out on matters of faith and morals, including the dignity of work and the well-being of individuals.
When it comes to making prudential decisions, people often have different approaches to the same issue. However, there are certain moral certainties that cannot be ignored, such as human dignity and the right to earn a fair wage to support one’s family.
The Church speaks out on these issues not to impose a specific political agenda, but to set boundaries that must not be crossed. It is unacceptable to deny a worker their human dignity by paying them an unjust wage, as this goes against biblical teachings and the principles upheld by the Popes throughout history.
Leo XIII introduced a common touchstone that has been revisited by subsequent Popes, culminating in Leo XIV who continues to uphold the social teaching of the Church and its role in safeguarding the dignity of all humanity.
This transcript has been edited for clarity.
