Now, having given two sides of our Leo, rated according to reporter's preference, let us now hear about a full-scale presentation of the new man in Rome, one-two-three-go, no or few holds barred . . .

It’s from an unlikely (maybe not) source whose arena of expertise is better known in the world of politics, opening with this comment: “For Catholics, the new pope’s disposition toward the Latin Mass will tell us far more about his pontificate than his views on immigration.”

I’ll say.

What would you rather have, a pope big on politics or on sanctifying grace? This has been the nub of resistance in the late Francis’ reign. How big he was on political issues. How often did he communicate that interest. He was called the political pope in one book and dictator pope in the other.

In addition, both references were to him as to operating procedure as much as his, shall we say, meddling? In matters where he’s little more than just another opinion in the world of political tit for tat?

Let us sample what the man from The Federalist says by way of “Why Pope Leo XIV Will Probably Not Be Francis 2.0.”

First, “For Catholics, the new pope’s disposition toward the Latin Mass will tell us far more about his pontificate than his views on immigration.”

Oh yeah. Back in the day, this reporter was queried by a fellow former Jesuit about why I was reporting the Episcopal Church’s 1970s’ revisions, several of dozens over four centuries, of their Book of Common Prayer.

I told my friend Episcopal churchgoers were addressing a problem at the heart of their belief, essentially their weekly vehicle of understanding and coping with what makes the world go ‘round. Nothing to mess with.

The Federalist had reported Leo’s “record of reposting left-wing political views online, from open borders to climate change to George Floyd.” Says he will none the less “probably not” turn out another Francis.

How so?

. . . because in his very first decisions as Supreme Pontiff, Pope Leo appears to be far more traditional and liturgically orthodox than his predecessor. In particular, he seems to have a special devotion to the Traditional Latin Mass.

I tell you, if that’s not music to the ears of lots of Catholics the world over, I’m a monkey’s uncle.

You could hear Leo talking politics all day long and not give a hoot if your Sunday experience were restored to olden ways.

The Federalist man?

On a very deep level, liturgy determines doctrine, and defending the doctrine of the Catholic Church against those who would undermine and destroy it is a big part of what the papacy is for.

Especially in our day.

Hence a restoration of the Latin Mass under Pope Leo would mean a return to doctrinal clarity and confidence, and a renewed papal resistance to the modernizing factions within the Catholic Church . . .

Above all, restoration of the Latin Mass will all but guarantee that this pope will not push doctrinal boundaries the way Pope Francis did, and will return the Holy See to its traditional role of defending the Catholic faith and evangelizing the world.

Yes sir!