Pope Leo XIV during an audience with the media on May 12, 2025 | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Part IV of “Fourteen Letters to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV” Series
Dear Holy Father:
This columnist predicted that an American cardinal would be elected the pope. Why? Because the United States of America is the world’s largest economy and has the most powerful military-industrial complex in human history. But it is now in turmoil. And there is an adage that says, “When the U.S.A. develops a cold, the whole world suffers a fever.” Or even pneumonia.
Perhaps the College of Cardinals wisely chose an American peer to be the pontiff, as now Pope Leo XIV maintains his U.S. citizenship. Ergo, he cannot be accused — as the leader of the State of Vatican — of interfering in the domestic affairs of the United States. Thus, he can be the American version of Moses and lead his people to their proverbial “Promised Land”.
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.
The truth is that many people in the world are getting poorer. On the other hand, the rich are getting richer and their cartels are raking in billions in profits at the expense of consumers. The number of homeless residents in many big and even smaller cities around the world is increasing every year. So far, no POTUS has been able to solve homelessness and other social cancers of the American people. In the meantime, many governments — especially in developing countries and in the Third World — are being accused of corruption and civil and human rights abuses.
Pope Leo XIV has a solid background in the foreign affairs of many countries. Let us reexamine his record. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – now known as Pope Leo XIV — is the first pope from the United States. He was elected on May 8, 2025. The 69-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, is recognized as a leader with global experience, particularly after serving as the leader of the Order of the St. Augustine (OSA) missionaries. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America.
As the head of the OSA, Bishop Prevost visited many countries with the so-called “Augustinian Provinces,” such as the Philippines, where he had visited three times before becoming a cardinal.
“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.”
Msgr. Robert F. Prevost became a bishop on December 12, 2014. He was consecrated as the titular bishop of Sufar and appointed as the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. A year later, on September 26, 2015, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo.
He became a cardinal on September 30, 2023. He was appointed to the rank of cardinal-deacon and assigned the deaconry of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani. Later, on February 6, 2025, he was promoted to cardinal-bishop and given the title of Albano, according to the Vatican News. He was later appointed to lead a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments.
There is no need for a “Prevostlution” insofar as the Catholic Church dogmas are concerned. To non-Catholics, dogmas are defined as truths revealed by God and infallibly established by the Church’s Magisterium (teaching authority). They are binding on all believers. They represent the highest level of revealed truth, such as the existence of God, the Trinity, the Incarnation, and Marian dogmas. Dogmas are considered unchanging and cannot be altered.
Indeed, “hope springs eternal”. This is why former Mexican President Vicente Fox titled his autobiography Revolution of Hope. And why, after this columnist met former President Fox in April 2014 and received an autographed copy of his autobiography, did he organize a new Facebook group in 2015? He called it, “ReVOTElution of H.O.P.E.” (A revolution done by suffrage, with the acronym HOPE, meaning “Helping Online People Everywhere”.)
Very respectfully yours in Jesus Christ,
Roberto (Bobby) M. Reyes
Journalist and Book Author
