Debunking Claims About Pope Leo XIV: Did He Deny Peter as the Rock and Diminish the Papacy?

Debunking Claims About Pope Leo XIV: Did He Deny Peter as the Rock and Diminish the Papacy?

In the early days of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, which began on May 8, 2025, a wave of controversy has emerged online, fueled by claims that the new pontiff denied the foundational Catholic belief that Peter is the "rock" upon which Christ built His Church, as stated in Matthew 16:18. Some have further alleged that this supposed denial signals Pope Leo XIV’s intent to diminish the role of the papacy itself. These claims have sparked heated discussions, particularly on social media platforms like X, and have been amplified by certain articles. However, a closer examination reveals that these assertions are likely rooted in misinterpretation and lack solid evidence. Let’s break down the claims, the sources promoting them, and the evidence that refutes them.

The Claims on Social Media

Shortly after Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural sermon on May 18, 2025, posts on X began circulating claims that he had redefined the "rock" in Matthew 16:18 as Christ, rather than Peter, thereby undermining the traditional Catholic understanding of Peter’s role as the first pope. One user suggested that the pope’s sermon indicated a shift away from papal supremacy, claiming he urged "full communion" with other Christians by redefining the "rock" as Christ alone. Another post interpreted the pope’s words as suggesting that Peter’s role was merely to "shepherd the flock without being an autocrat," implying a reduction in the papacy’s authority. These posts on X quickly gained traction, with some users speculating that Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, was attempting to reform the papacy in a way that aligned with progressive or ecumenical agendas.

The Article Promoting the Narrative

The claims appear to have been amplified by an article published on May 19, 2025, by a lesser-known outlet called RedemTheTimes, a site known for its critical stance on Vatican leadership. The article, titled "Pope Leo XIV’s Shocking Inaugural Sermon: A New Vision for the Papacy?", asserted that during his May 18 homily, Pope Leo XIV stated, “Peter is not the rock, Christ is,” and argued that this statement was a deliberate attempt to redefine the papacy’s role. The piece suggested that by emphasizing Christ as the sole "cornerstone" (referencing Acts 4:11), the pope was diminishing Peter’s foundational role and, by extension, the authority of the papacy itself. The article cited unnamed "Vatican insiders" and claimed that this was part of a broader agenda to make the Catholic Church more palatable to other Christian denominations, potentially at the expense of traditional Catholic doctrine. This narrative was picked up by various X users, who used it to fuel their interpretations of the pope’s intentions.

Refutation with Evidence

Despite the buzz on X and the claims in the RedemTheTimes article, there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Pope Leo XIV denied Peter’s role as the "rock" or sought to diminish the papacy. Official Vatican sources and the pope’s own words provide a clearer picture that refutes these claims.

First, the full transcript of Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural sermon on May 18, 2025, published by Vatican News, shows no instance where he explicitly stated, “Peter is not the rock, Christ is.” Instead, the pope emphasized the complementary roles of Christ and Peter, saying, “If the rock is Christ, Peter must shepherd the flock without being an autocrat.” He referenced 1 Peter 2:5, noting that all believers are “living stones” built upon Christ, the cornerstone, but he also affirmed Peter’s role by stating, “Peter’s mission is to love and serve the Church, as Christ entrusted him.” This aligns with traditional Catholic teaching, which holds that Christ is the ultimate foundation of the Church, while Peter, as the "rock," is the visible head on earth, appointed by Christ (Matthew 16:18). The pope’s words reflect a call for humility in leadership, not a rejection of Peter’s role or the papacy’s authority.

Second, Vatican News and other reputable outlets, such as the Associated Press, have reported that Pope Leo XIV’s early papacy has focused on unity and continuity with his predecessor, Pope Francis. In his first formal audience with the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025, he reaffirmed his commitment to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which upheld the primacy of the pope while promoting synodality and dialogue. There is no indication in these reports that he intends to diminish the papacy’s role. In fact, his choice of the name Leo, evoking Pope Leo XIII, who defended the Church’s authority while addressing modern challenges, suggests a commitment to upholding the papacy’s traditional role, as noted by Rev. Thomas Reese in a Reuters article on May 9, 2025.

Third, the Catholic Church’s authoritative teaching on Peter as the "rock" is well-established and cannot be overturned by a single pope without constituting heresy, as pointed out by several users on X who challenged the initial claims. The First Vatican Council (1870) defined papal primacy and infallibility as dogmas, rooted in the understanding of Peter as the rock (Matthew 16:18). For Pope Leo XIV to deny this would be a direct contradiction of Church doctrine, a move that would likely provoke immediate backlash from the College of Cardinals and the global Catholic community—none of which has occurred.

Finally, the RedemTheTimes article’s reliance on unnamed sources and its misquotation of the pope’s sermon raise serious questions about its credibility. Fact-checks by Catholic outlets like Where Peter Is on May 11, 2025, have labeled the claim a misinterpretation, pointing to the official homily transcript as evidence. The article’s narrative appears to be an attempt to stir controversy rather than reflect the pope’s actual teachings.

Conclusion

The claims that Pope Leo XIV denied Peter as the "rock" and sought to diminish the papacy’s role are not supported by evidence and stem from a misinterpretation of his May 18, 2025, sermon. While posts on X and the RedemTheTimes article have fueled speculation, the official record of the pope’s words, as well as the broader context of his early papacy, shows a commitment to traditional Catholic doctrine and the papacy’s role. Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on humility and unity does not equate to a rejection of Peter’s foundational role or the authority of the papacy. As with any new pontificate, misinformation can spread rapidly, especially on social media, but a careful examination of the facts reveals the truth. Catholics and observers alike should look to verified sources, such as Vatican News, to understand Pope Leo XIV’s teachings and intentions as he leads the Church into the future.