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Part I of Second Set of “14 Letters to Pope Leo XIV” Series
On August 10, 2025, this column discussed “Can Pope Leo XIV Help in Saving North America From Turmoil?” at this link.
The article said: QUOTE. Immediately after the election of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost to the papacy, this column began a series titled “Fourteen Letters to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.” All the letters were coursed by e-mail through the Order of St. Augustine Province in Cebu, Philippines, as the new pontiff is the first Augustinian missionary to be elected to head the Catholic Church. Before he became the new pope, the Most Reverend Prevost visited the OSA Province in Cebu in 2004.
The fourth letter in the series talked about “The World Needs Maybe a ‘Prevostlution”. It was published on June 1, 2025. It said: QUOTE. Pope Leo XIV is in a unique position to initiate fundamental socioeconomic structural reforms not only in his homeland but also in many nations worldwide. This columnist now suggests “Prevost” be turned into an acronym for “People’s Renaissance, Economic Ventures and Outreach in Stressing the Truth.” If we combine it with “revolution”, we form a new word, “prevostlution.” Thus, Pope Leo XIV can usher in — if he wants and decides — not only a new Age of Renaissance but also a modern agricultural, commercial, and industrial revolution. And at the same time, stress the need for citizens and their political, business, and church leaders to face the truth. UNQUOTE.
Pope Leo XIV has apparently shocked the Catholic Church, as well as the Trump-MAGA world. Pope Leo has officially accepted the retirement of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who recently turned 75 years old. The cardinal headed the Archdiocese of New York. The cardinal is President Donald Trump’s favorite Catholic dignitary — according to critics (of both the cardinal and the POTUS).
The Vatican replaced Cardinal Dolan with Bishop Ronald Hicks, who, at age 58, is described as a “low-profile, media-averse, and blessedly uninterested in cable-news culture wars”. Bishop Hicks grew up near the American pope’s ancestral residence in Chicago’s south suburbs. He shares a background in missionary work and avoids Cardinal Dolan’s “performative politics”. Reports say that the new archbishop, who now heads the Archdiocese of New York, works quietly and avoids politics.
“This Christmas Eve, let us rejoice in the Catholic Church’s move to focus more on mission work in the rural trenches, rather than in the asphalt-and-concrete jungles of metropolitan enclaves. Yes, Pope Leo XIV has given the best Advent gift, wrapped as early as August 11, 2025.”
According to critics, Cardinal Dolan used to appear regularly on Fox News. The culture-war crusader of a cardinal once dubbed slain MAGA commentator Charlie Kirk a “modern-day Saint Paul.” The message from the Vatican is clear. The Catholic Church is apolitical, and it should not be identified as aligned with President Trump and his MAGA brand of politics. Or, for that matter, with politicians, especially the corrupt and trying hard to be monarchial in conduct. Cardinal Dolan has been the spiritual cheerleader for Trumpism and was so well-liked by the former reality-TV star who became POTUS. Mr. Trump once floated himself or Cardinal Dolan as a potential pope.
In short, Pope Leo XIV has restored the original mission of the Catholic Church: to provide moral leadership, grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who was pro-poor and pro-people. And it is a follow-up to the first American pontiff’s outreach to prelates, nuns, deacons, and other volunteer congregation workers to do more missionary work, especially in the boondocks.
On August 11, 2025, Pope Leo XIV made a bold call to arms — from the missionary viewpoint. The pontiff said, “Dear brothers and sisters, the Church and the world do not need people who fulfill their religious duties as if the faith were merely an external label. We need laborers who are eager to work in the mission field, disciples who bear witness to the Kingdom of God in all places.”
Aha, Pope Leo XIV apparently does not consider the corridors of power in Washington, DC, and even in the Big Apple and/or the City of Angels as “missionary fields” for church dignitaries?
This Christmas Eve, let us rejoice in the Catholic Church’s move to focus more on mission work in the rural trenches, rather than in the asphalt-and-concrete jungles of metropolitan enclaves. Yes, Pope Leo XIV has given the best Advent gift, wrapped as early as August 11, 2025. After all, the College of Cardinals decided to elect the first pontiffs who belonged to missionary orders (like Pope Francis I, the first Jesuit, and then Pope Leo XIV, the first Augustinian). Hallelujah! It is like the work of the Redeemer who loved to preach in the mountains to multitudes of 5,000 people or more. And who recruited missionaries from among fishermen and ordinary folks. And not from among kings, would-be monarchs, and the filthy-rich of society that have turned industries into cartels and monopolies. Amen. Ameen.
