We Have a New Pope: Why Decent Society Should Care

Pope Leo XIV during a mass with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel in The Vatican

Originally published in the Ohio Press Network

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Throughout history the papacy has defended human rights, opposed slavery, advanced healthcare, and supported the democratization of developing nations. The pope's voice speaks with continuity and conviction, remaining a cornerstone of order, tradition, and moral clarity in an age increasingly marked by confusion and relativism.

This moment in history invites conservatives—and, indeed, all people—to consider the enduring importance of the papacy as a global moral institution whose influence intersects directly with deeply held societal values. Here’s why the papacy should matter to every American conservative.