Pope Leo XIV Wears Pope Francis' Pectoral Cross

On July 9, 2025, a profound moment unfolded during a Mass for the Care of Creation, celebrated in what Vatican News described as a “natural cathedral” of towering trees and open skies. Pope Leo XIV, the recently elected pontiff, stepped forward wearing the iconic “Good Shepherd” pectoral cross, a simple silver piece that had become synonymous with his predecessor, Pope Francis.

This was no ordinary gesture. The cross, depicting Christ carrying a lamb on his shoulders, encapsulated Francis’ entire papacy—a ministry rooted in humility, service, and closeness to the marginalized. By choosing to wear it, Leo XIV sent a resounding message to the Catholic world and beyond: the spirit of Francis’ pontificate is alive and thriving.

Social media, particularly posts on X, erupted with enthusiasm, with users exclaiming, “We are sooo back!” and hailing Leo as “Pope Francis 2.0” in a mocking gesture of so-called Traditionalists. The choice was a bold declaration that Leo XIV intends to prioritize his role as a pastor over that of a politician, continuing a legacy of compassion, environmental stewardship, and unity in a Church often fraught with division.

The Good Shepherd cross, first worn by Pope Francis in 2013, is a stark departure from the ornate, gold-encrusted pectoral crosses favored by popes of centuries past. Crafted from simple silver, it portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd, tenderly carrying a lamb while surrounded by his flock. For Francis, it was more than a piece of jewelry—it was a theological statement. It symbolized his vision of a Church that goes to the peripheries, embraces the poor, and rejects the trappings of power. When Leo XIV donned this cross, he was not merely borrowing a relic of his predecessor; he was embracing the ethos it represents. The Mass for the Care of Creation, an event rooted in Francis’ landmark encyclical *Laudato Si’*, was the perfect occasion for such a gesture. Held outdoors, surrounded by nature, it emphasized the interconnectedness of humanity and the environment—a theme central to both Francis’ and Leo’s papacies. The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. Since his election in March 2025, Pope Leo XIV has faced intense scrutiny. As a relatively unknown figure—an Augustinian cardinal from Argentina—his ascent to the papacy was a surprise to many. Some wondered whether he would continue Francis’ progressive reforms or pivot toward a more traditionalist stance to appease conservative factions within the Church. His decision to wear the Good Shepherd cross is a clear answer. It signals that Leo XIV is not interested in playing the political games that have long characterized Vatican dynamics. Instead, he is doubling down on Francis’ vision of a Church that prioritizes the poor, the environment, and the pastoral over the political. On X, the reaction was swift and jubilant. Posts flooded the platform, with hashtags like #PopeLeoXIV and #GoodShepherd trending globally. One user wrote, “Leo XIV wearing Francis’ cross? We are SOOO back. This is the Church I signed up for!” Another declared, “He’s not just continuing Francis’ work—he’s amplifying it. Pastor, not politician.” These sentiments reflect a broader sense of relief and excitement among Catholics who feared the Church might veer away from Francis’ reforms. Leo’s choice of the cross was a deliberate nod to this constituency, reassuring them that the spirit of *Laudato Si’*, *Fratelli Tutti*, and Francis’ emphasis on synodality will endure. The Mass itself was a powerful setting for this symbolic act. Held in a “natural cathedral,” the liturgy was a celebration of creation, echoing Francis’ call to care for our common home. Leo XIV’s homily, delivered under the canopy of trees, focused on the need for ecological conversion and solidarity with the poor, who suffer most from environmental degradation. “We are not owners of this earth,” he said, “but stewards, called to tend it with love and humility, as the Good Shepherd tends his flock.” The imagery of the shepherd, mirrored by the cross hanging from his neck, was unmistakable. It was a moment of continuity, a bridge between Francis’ papacy and Leo’s emerging leadership. This gesture also carries weight in the context of Leo XIV’s background. As an Augustinian, Leo is steeped in the spirituality of St. Augustine, whose emphasis on community, humility, and the pursuit of truth resonates deeply with Francis’ own Jesuit-inspired approach. Both popes share a commitment to a Church that is outward-looking, engaging with the world’s challenges rather than retreating into institutional self-preservation. By wearing the Good Shepherd cross, Leo XIV aligns himself with this vision, positioning himself as a “universal shepherd” who transcends the political divides that have polarized the Church in recent decades. The choice of the cross also speaks to Leo’s rejection of the trappings of power. Unlike the elaborate pectoral crosses of previous popes, which were often encrusted with jewels and crafted from gold, Francis’ cross is understated, almost austere. Its simplicity is a rebuke to the clericalism and pomp that Francis sought to dismantle. By adopting it, Leo XIV is signaling that he, too, rejects the idea of the papacy as a monarchical institution. Instead, he embraces a model of leadership that is relational, grounded in service, and focused on the needs of the faithful rather than the preservation of Vatican prestige. This moment also has implications for the Church’s ongoing synodal process, another hallmark of Francis’ papacy. Synodality, the idea of a Church that listens and journeys together, was a cornerstone of Francis’ reforms, culminating in the global Synod on Synodality that concluded in 2024. Leo XIV has already indicated his intention to continue this process, announcing plans for regional synods to address local challenges while maintaining a global dialogue. The Good Shepherd cross, with its imagery of a shepherd guiding his flock, is a fitting symbol for this approach. It suggests that Leo sees his role as one of accompaniment, walking with the faithful rather than dictating from above. The reaction from the global Catholic community has been overwhelmingly positive, but it’s not without critics. Some traditionalist voices on X and in Catholic media have expressed skepticism, arguing that Leo’s embrace of Francis’ symbols risks alienating conservatives who hoped for a return to a more doctrinally rigid papacy. One X post remarked, “The Good Shepherd cross is a nice gesture, but will Leo XIV address the doctrinal confusion left by Francis?” Such critiques reflect the ongoing tension within the Church between those who embrace Francis’ reforms and those who view them as a departure from tradition. Yet Leo’s decision to wear the cross suggests he is unafraid of these tensions, choosing instead to lean into Francis’ legacy as a way of unifying the Church around its core mission. The environmental focus of the Mass also underscores Leo XIV’s commitment to *Laudato Si’*, Francis’ 2015 encyclical on the environment and human ecology. The document called for a radical reorientation of human priorities, urging Catholics and all people of goodwill to address climate change, consumerism, and the exploitation of the poor. By celebrating a Mass for the Care of Creation and wearing Francis’ cross, Leo XIV is signaling that this agenda remains central to his papacy. In his homily, he spoke of the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,” echoing Francis’ words and reinforcing the Church’s role as a moral voice on global issues. This focus is particularly significant in 2025, as the world grapples with escalating climate crises, from record-breaking heatwaves to devastating floods. The symbolism of the Good Shepherd cross also extends to Leo’s approach to global challenges beyond the environment. Like Francis, he has emphasized the need for a Church that is a “field hospital,” tending to the wounds of a broken world. In his first months as pope, Leo has already made headlines for his outreach to refugees, his condemnation of economic inequality, and his calls for peace in conflict zones. The cross, with its image of Christ carrying the vulnerable, is a powerful emblem of this mission. It suggests that Leo’s papacy will be defined not by grand political strategies but by small, human gestures—visiting the poor, listening to the marginalized, and fostering dialogue across divides. For many Catholics, the sight of Leo XIV wearing the Good Shepherd cross is a moment of hope—a sign that the Church is moving forward, not backward. The phrase “We are sooo back” captures this sentiment perfectly, reflecting a renewed sense of optimism among those who saw Francis’ papacy as a turning point for the Church. By embracing the cross, Leo is not merely paying homage to his predecessor; he is signaling that he intends to build on Francis’ foundation, adapting it to the challenges of a new era. This is not a papacy of rupture but of continuity, rooted in the image of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. In a world marked by division, polarization, and crisis, Pope Leo XIV’s choice to wear the Good Shepherd cross is a powerful statement. It reaffirms the Church’s call to be a beacon of hope, a voice for the voiceless, and a steward of creation. It declares that Leo XIV is not a politician maneuvering for influence but a pastor committed to guiding his flock with humility and love. As one X user put it, “Pope Leo XIV is Francis 2.0—same heart, same mission, new chapter.” With the Good Shepherd cross around his neck, Leo XIV is proving that the Church is, indeed, “sooo back.”