VILLANOVA THEOLOGY PROFESSOR EXAMINES POPE LEO XIV’S PAPACY AND THE GLOBAL CHURCH IN NEW BOOK

On Sept. 18, 2026, Massimo Faggioli, PhD, met Pope Leo XIV and shared his book, "Leo XIV and the Global Church: Unity and Peace." (Photo credit: Vatican Media)

Villanova, Pa.—The prospect of a pope from the United States was always considered unlikely or even impossible. When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, ’77 CLAS was elected pope on May 8, 2025, it was a historic day for Americans—and a particularly meaningful one for the community of his Augustinian Catholic alma mater, Villanova University. In his new book, Leo XIV and the Global Church: Unity and Peace, Massimo Faggioli, PhD, professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University examines the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s election, placing it within the broader evolution of the papacy and the Catholic Church’s growing relationship with the world.

“It was considered impossible to elect an American pope,” says Dr. Faggioli. “So this is really a game changer in the way foreign relations of the Vatican unfold.”

As a Church historian, Dr. Faggioli has observed considerable developments in the way the papacy operates over the last several decades. “The papacy has changed from something that concerns only Catholics to something that captures the attention of a wider circle of people,” he explains. “It's become much more interactive with global politics, much more present in public life, much more involved in a number of issues, and in a position that is different from what it used to be.”

Pope Leo XIV continues that trajectory, breaking ground on new issues including artificial intelligence in the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, while introducing a new culture to the Vatican. Since his election, the pontiff has emphasized greater use of English, transparency in Vatican finances and modern approaches to governance and administration.

The book also explores the significance of Leo XIV as the first pope from the Order of St. Augustine. Dr. Faggioli sees this identity as an important lens for understanding the pontiff’s leadership style.

“Members of religious orders like Augustinians, they have a strong sense of brotherhood and community. It’s kind of new for a pope, even compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis,” he notes. “So that's important in the day-to-day way of governing and working with top officials in the Vatican.”

The Augustinian value of unity is particularly relevant to Dr. Faggioli’s analysis, along with peace—a natural outcome of all three Augustinian pillars put into practice: Veritas, Unitas and Caritas. Unity and peace are frequent themes in the pope’s speeches. Dr. Faggioli explains that the concept of unity extends beyond the Church and society to the individual person, who can be pulled in different directions in an increasingly divisive and distracted world, and Pope Leo XIV is also consistent in his advocacy for peace and alternative ways of solving international conflicts.

As Pope Leo XIV’s papacy continues to take shape, Dr. Faggioli considers important questions it raises for the future of the Church and its role in the world.

Villanova University’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies will host a book launch for Leo XIV and the Global Church: Unity and Peace on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Driscoll Hall, room 132. The event will feature a discussion moderated by Kevin Hughes, PhD, chair and professor of Theology and Religious Studies, with Dr. Faggioli and guest speakers Mary Kate Holman, PhD, assistant professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University, and Chris Altieri, PhD, Vatican correspondent. The event is free and open to the public.

About Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been the heart of the Villanova learning experience, offering foundational courses for undergraduate students in every college of the University. Serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is committed to fortifying them with intellectual rigor, multidisciplinary knowledge, moral courage and a global perspective. The College has more than 40 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences.