Why the new Pope may be the most pro-labor in a century

[WORLD] In a moment that has sent ripples through the Catholic Church and beyond, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected the 267th pontiff, adopting the name Pope Leo XIV. His election marks a historic first: an American at the helm of the Vatican. More significantly, it signals what could be a transformative chapter in Catholic social teaching, with early signs pointing to a papacy deeply attuned to workers’ rights and economic justice.

Prevost’s elevation represents a sharp departure from centuries of European leadership in the Church. Yet his extensive pastoral experience in Latin America—particularly in Peru—may have eased concerns about regional partisanship. Fluent in Spanish, Italian, and English, the new pope is well-positioned to act as a conduit between the Global South and Western nations at a time when nearly 40% of Catholics reside in Latin America and Africa.

A Name with Powerful Implications

By choosing the name Leo XIV, the new pope draws a direct line to Pope Leo XIII, a towering figure in Catholic history who championed workers’ rights during the industrial upheavals of the 19th century. Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum laid the groundwork for modern Catholic social doctrine—defending the rights of laborers, advocating for unionization, and condemning the excesses of industrial capitalism.

This nod to Leo XIII is more than symbolic. It suggests that Pope Leo XIV intends to carry forward a tradition of labor solidarity and social justice. That message has already resonated with Catholic labor organizations around the globe. Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) hailed his “clear commitment to the oppressed,” while the U.S.-based Catholic Labor Network welcomed his election as “a hopeful sign for workers in a precarious economy.”

A Papal Record Rooted in Worker Advocacy

Leo XIV’s record reinforces the symbolism. His years as a missionary bishop in Peru were marked by close engagement with economically marginalized communities, including Venezuelan refugees. He gained recognition for his efforts in mining towns, mediating labor disputes between workers and multinational corporations—experience that could prove vital as the Church weighs in on global labor issues.

His pastoral style, shaped by these encounters with poverty and exploitation, reflects a hands-on approach to ministry that prioritizes connection with the vulnerable. In his inaugural address, he called for a “missionary church” rooted in compassion, dialogue, and service—values aligned with the Church’s enduring social teachings.

Echoes of a Foundational Text

Rerum Novarum remains the cornerstone of Catholic labor teaching. Issued amid the disruptions of the Second Industrial Revolution, it criticized exploitative labor practices, promoted fair wages and safe working conditions, and encouraged the formation of trade unions. While denouncing both laissez-faire capitalism and Marxist socialism, it insisted that the state bears responsibility for safeguarding workers’ rights.

The challenges Leo XIV inherits are no less daunting. Today’s labor landscape, dominated by digital platforms, gig work, and tech conglomerates, mirrors the stark inequalities of Leo XIII’s era. As automation reshapes economies and union membership declines, the Church may once again be called upon to speak forcefully in defense of labor—this time for app-based drivers and warehouse workers rather than factory hands.

Subsequent popes have expanded on Leo XIII’s vision with documents like Quadragesimo Anno (1931), Mater et Magistra (1961), and Centesimus Annus (1991), each reflecting the evolving context of economic justice. Leo XIV’s challenge will be to interpret and apply these teachings in a world shaped by artificial intelligence, private equity, and deepening wealth inequality.

A Church Called to Act

The new pope’s election comes amid growing discontent over economic disparities and declining worker protections. With capitalism increasingly driven by algorithms and asset managers, workers often face new forms of exploitation unseen in earlier eras. Pope Leo XIV’s early decisions—particularly in Vatican appointments—will offer clues to his priorities.

Observers note that elevating figures like Cardinal Michael Czerny, a key voice in Pope Francis’ social justice initiatives, would suggest a continuity of progressive economic advocacy. A tilt toward more conservative advisers might signal a tempered approach to reform.

“For Pope Leo XIV, the industrial barons of the 19th century have been replaced by tech magnates and private equity titans,” wrote Sonari Glinton. “The struggle for labor dignity remains, only now fought in code and contracts rather than coal mines.”

Following Francis, Charting a New Path

Pope Francis reoriented the Church toward the poor, the displaced, and the disenfranchised. Leo XIV inherits that legacy—and the expectation to advance it. His American heritage, combined with his Latin American experience, places him in a unique position to confront the realities of globalized labor and shifting economic paradigms.

One immediate test of his credibility may lie within Vatican walls. Critics have long pointed to inconsistencies between the Church’s social teaching and its own employment practices, particularly regarding gender equality and lay worker rights. Addressing these internal issues could bolster his moral authority on the global stage.

A Defining Moment for the Church and the World

For the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics—and countless others invested in social justice—the emergence of Pope Leo XIV could signal a bold reassertion of the Church’s voice in defending human dignity. His deep roots in the struggles of the working poor, his symbolic embrace of Leo XIII’s legacy, and his clear-eyed focus on modern labor challenges suggest a papacy intent on meaningful action.

Whether through advocating debt relief, land reform, or protections for platform workers, Pope Leo XIV appears poised to position the Church as a vital moral force in an age of economic upheaval. His next moves will be watched closely—not just by the faithful, but by workers around the world looking for solidarity and justice.