POPE LEO XIV
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Hervé Giraud, Archbishop of Viviers and Prelate of the Mission of France, had the opportunity to work twice with the then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He emphasizes the listening skills of the new pope, shaped by his religious and missionary experience. Archbishop Giraud also highlights the pontiff’s availability, humility, and efficiency as a canonist whom he has come to appreciate.
I.MEDIA: What are your thoughts on the election of the new Pope Leo XIV?
Archbishop Hervé Giraud: I’m delighted with the election of Robert Francis! I learned of his election while on the road in Ardèche, on my way back from a meeting with religious leaders to whom I had just mentioned him as a possible pope.
His speech was very well thought out, with his reflection on the peace of the risen Christ, the peace of the Good Shepherd. His reflection on an “unarmed and disarming peace” was very beautiful. He came across as a modest man, both moved and serene. It was truly a stroke of genius on the part of the Holy Spirit that allowed him to be elected. He may not be perfect, but he will be a good servant!
How did you know him?
Archbishop Giraud: As prelate of the Mission of France, I met him on June 15, 2023, with my vicar general Henri Védrine and my general delegate Anne Soncarrieu. He asked good questions, listened to the answers, rephrased, and summarized. He also offered me some good solutions, as a canon lawyer, for modifying the statutes of the Mission of France, and I am very grateful to him for his help.
As a former math teacher—like him!—who likes things to be precise, concise, and to the point, I remember writing in my journal, “What joy!” He is a man who listens, who asks questions, and who also knows how to come up with new ideas.
I saw him again on May 21, 2024, alone, and I brought up the question of the canonical solution promised for the Mission of France, as I hadn’t heard anything for almost a year. The first thing he did, with modesty, gentleness, and humility, was to apologize for not having replied. Then we took up the initiative again, and it was finalized last December. He had the file of my successor on his desk, who will probably be one of his first appointments as pope.
Do you feel that Leo XIV will be able to reconcile the different tendencies within the Church and ensure a form of unity between the previous pontificates?
Archbishop Giraud: He embodies a kind of novelty in continuity. I noticed that during his first blessing, he took up the vestments used by Benedict XVI and incorporated Francis' synodality into his speech.
Above all, by choosing continuity with Leo XIII, he’s also following in the footsteps of the social thinking that gave rise to labor unionism with Rerum novarum. He’s also following in the footsteps of Leo the Great, the great pope of unity.
Does his election also have international significance, marking the link between North and South?
Archbishop Giraud: His profile does indeed mark an expansion of America, from South to North, but with his profile, it’s the North that includes the South. He has a universal vision through his religious order and his experience in Peru.
This will be an asset in relation to Donald Trump, in order to promote greater social justice in North-South relations by building bridges, not walls. “Help one another” is a very strong call. I feel great joy this evening!
