The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has sparked a wave of enthusiasm among liberals, many of whom wouldn’t identify as Catholic. This marks a historical milestone as he becomes the first American-born pontiff in the Catholic Church’s long and storied history.
This excitement can be partially attributed to his previous critiques of President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, as well as his reputation for moderate theological and political views. However, those hoping for a radical shift towards a more liberal Church may end up feeling a tad disappointed.
While Pope Leo XIV expresses a similar concern for migrants and the impoverished as his predecessor, Pope Francis, early indications suggest he will maintain a strong adherence to traditional Church teachings concerning critical moral issues such as abortion, traditional marriage, and the all-male priesthood.
Much like Pope Francis, he is expected to extend pastoral care to all, including those in irregular situations, and will likely continue offering blessings to individuals in same-sex unions, a practice permitted by the December 2023 document Fiducia Supplicans. However, it’s important to note that these blessings do not extend to the unions themselves.
At the same time, he is anticipated to uphold the Church’s firm stance against gender ideology. The 2019 Vatican document Male and Female He Created Them condemned gender theory as an attempt to “annihilate the nature of the human being.” Pope Francis has referred to gender ideology as “a form of ideological colonization,” asserting that it distorts the very essence of creation and threatens the family unit. As he succinctly put it: “Welcoming individuals with homosexual tendencies into the Church is one thing; promoting gender ideology is another matter entirely.”
In recent years, numerous mainline Protestant denominations across the United States have embraced increasingly liberal theological positions, such as ordaining women and LGBTQ+ clergy, performing same-sex marriages, and adopting contemporary forms of worship. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Presbyterian Church (USA) have long supported these progressive measures, while the United Methodist Church recently lifted its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy.
Some congregations have even gone so far as to remove traditional Christian symbols like the cross, all in the name of inclusivity. While these changes reflect an effort to align with modern cultural values, they have also ignited internal disputes.
The United Methodist Church’s reforms culminated in the formation of the Global Methodist Church, consisting of congregations that sought to uphold traditional teachings regarding marriage and sexuality.
In stark contrast to the liberalizing trends seen in various Protestant denominations, the Catholic Church has steadfastly maintained its traditional teachings and liturgical practices, emphasizing a continuity that stretches back to its origins in 33 AD. Critics may argue that the Church is out of touch, yet its unwavering stance appeals to many who seek stability amidst societal upheaval.
A notable trend toward conservatism among Catholics is evident through the resurgence of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), also known as the Tridentine Mass. Between January 2019 and June 2021, attendance at TLM services surged by 34%, with the number of parishes hosting these services increasing by 27%. Surveys indicate that TLM congregants tend to lean conservative: 77% identify as Republicans, 85% believe abortion should be illegal in all circumstances, and an overwhelming 98% affirm the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Not only are existing Catholics gravitating towards a more traditional Church, but conversions are also on the rise among the general populace. In 2025, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles welcomed 5,587 new Catholics during the Easter Vigil, the highest figure recorded in over a decade. Similarly, dioceses like Fort Worth, Texas, reported conversion increases of up to 72% from 2023 to 2024, with many of the new converts being young adults in their 20s and 30s, drawn to a faith that promises moral clarity and a strong sense of community.
Factors such as disillusionment with secular culture, the aftershocks of the pandemic, and access to Catholic content online have significantly influenced these decisions.
A comparable trend is emerging in the United Kingdom, where Catholicism is witnessing a revival among young Britons, particularly men aged 18 to 34, who are attracted to the Church’s adherence to traditional beliefs. In contrast, the national Church, the Church of England, has fully embraced progressive values, allowing clergy to enter same-sex civil partnerships since 2005, approving blessings for same-sex couples in 2023, and proposing in 2024 that gay clergy be permitted to marry.
In tandem with these changes, some Church institutions have opted to remove traditional Christian symbols to appear more inclusive. A notable instance was a primary school in Huddersfield that stripped the cross from its uniform to avoid offending non-Christian students.
This shift has contributed to a steady decline in membership within the Church of England. Average weekly attendance plummeted from just over one million in 2013 to 685,000 by 2023.
The trend continues across Europe: Protestant churches are increasingly liberalizing, exemplified by a bishop in Sweden suggesting the removal of crosses from churches to accommodate Muslim visitors. Meanwhile, Catholicism is on the rise in countries like Austria, Belgium, Sweden, and Kosovo, with adult baptisms soaring by as much as 85% in certain areas.
Analysts argue that the Church’s structured beliefs and rituals resonate with those searching for stability and meaning in an increasingly secular world.
In the United States, a growing contingent of young Catholic women is emerging as influential voices, merging traditional Catholic faith with conservative politics and enthusiastic support for Donald Trump. Once the domain of evangelical Protestants, the conservative political landscape now features Catholic social media influencers like Isabel Brown and Jayme Franklin, as well as staffers at pro-Trump institutions.
These women advocate for a vision of Catholicism that aligns closely with Trump’s policies on abortion, religious liberty, and gender roles. Notably, this shift towards conservatism coincides with the passing of Pope Francis and the ascension of Pope Leo XIV, positioning the Church at a crucial crossroads between progressive and conservative futures.
