Pope Leo XIV: The Significance of His Name (The Drew Mariani Show)

If you were surprised when white smoke puffed and they announced a Chicago-born American as the new Pope, you are not alone. Drew Mariani and Dr. Kenneth Craycraft talk about this momentous day on The Drew Mariani Show, giving us both historical insights and Holy Spirit goosebumps.     The Power of a Name: Why “Leo XIV” Matters   Names are a legacy. And choosing the name Leo XIV carries weight.   Pope Leo XIII, (1878–1903), dealt with the chaos of the Industrial Revolution, soaring social inequality, and rising Marxism; he responded with truth and clarity. His encyclical Rerum Novarum was a bombshell that laid the cornerstone of modern Catholic social teaching.   💬 Dr. Craycraft puts it like this: By choosing the name Leo, our new Holy Father is "deliberately echoing" that same call to clarity in a stormy age; this time, the AI age. It's a lion-hearted move in a world gasping for moral courage.     🌍 A Global Pope for a Divided World   Pope Leo XIV isn’t just any American. This man has lived all over the world, speaks five languages, and he reads two more. He's fluent in cultures.   🤝 Drew and Dr. Craycraft agree: Leo XIV could shape up to be a bridge-builder for all people of goodwill, a healer in our wounded and weary world.        Social Justice Meets Sacred Tradition   Dr. Craycraft is pleased that our new Pope is signaling a renewed focus on human dignity, just labor, and the common good.   But Leo XIV also stands on solid, Rosary-beaded ground. Like his namesake, he has deep devotion to Our Lady. We're living in apocalyptic-feeling times, and Mary is on the move... just like in the days of Leo XIII.     Dr. Craycraft adds: Don’t be surprised if Pope Leo XIV’s first pilgrimage is homeward bound: to Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, both beloved projects of Leo XIII. Let's see if he's right!     🙏 Final Thoughts    Let’s rally around our new Holy Father with prayer, peace, and popcorn-level curiosity for what God has in store.   Be sure to join Drew and Fr. Rocky as they pray the Family Rosary Across America for Pope Leo XIV this evening at 7PM CT.   Because this moment is exciting... and it’s sacred.       The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.