The Risen Lord remains forever the living Head of the universal Church, his Body.

Catholic and non-Catholic Christians hold much in common, but also differ on many significant doctrines and practices – including the authority of the Pope.

Nevertheless, as the leader of the largest Christian denomination in the world, any Pope is an important public face and voice of Christianity in the wider world.

Popes come and go, and all of them have their own styles and emphases.

Pope Benedict was a scholar and an advocate for orthodoxy.

Pope Francis was a man of considerable personal warmth, generosity, and humility, with a heart for the poor and oppressed. He also expressed a desire for a more “inclusive” approach. All this commended him to many, both within and beyond the Christian community. But his ambiguity in some matters worried many conservatives.

As for Pope Leo, it is too early to be sure what sort of leadership he may now give to the worldwide Catholic Church. In that diverse and complicated space, he will need much wisdom and prayer.

The reality is, in whatever church we are in, we all need both church leaders and church members who deeply love God, who are passionate for the Gospel, who are faithful to God’s word, who are people of prayer, who are led by the Spirit, who are growing more like Christ, and who genuinely love others.

Author: Dr Stuart Lange

Dr Stuart Lange is the National Director of the NZCN and is a Senior Research Fellow at Laidlaw College, where he was formerly Vice Principal. Stuart wrote and presented the historical DVD documentary Te Rongopai: 200 years of the Gospel in New Zealand, 1814-2014.