It is encouraging to hear Pope Leo XIV talk about building bridges (What will the new pope be like? He’s chosen to be called Leo: that’s no accident, 8 May). This is a key task facing his pontificate, and operates on a number of levels.
First and foremost, building bridges within the different factions and groups of the Catholic church, and its 1.4 billion adherents worldwide, as well as with other Christian denominations. Second, building bridges between the Vatican and other faith groups, particularly Muslims, Hindus and the Jewish community, where there is painful history to heal. Third and finally, the pope needs to build bridges between the religious and secular worlds to find common ground. Bridge-building in our troubled world is a sacred task, and Pope Leo will have his work cut out.
Zaki Cooper
Vice-president, Council of Christians and Jews
• The election of Pope Leo XIV is a reassuring and inspiring choice in a turbulent world. The new leader of the worldwide Catholic church is both a US and a Peruvian citizen. His greeting of “Peace be with you … A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally” is a deeply moving message that the world needs.
For once, demagogues and dictators have been sent offstage; instead, Pope Leo attracts the attention of the world’s media. Indeed, he heralds the beginning of a new voice on the world’s stage, calling for peace, and reaching out across divisions by building bridges.
Christina Thomas
Durham
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