Prior dedicated to unity has met Pope 5 times in 1st year

Brother Matthew: There was even a meeting before his election. It's a beautiful story. On April 26, 2025, after the funeral of Pope Francis, I was walking out of St. Peter's Square and saw a group of cardinals with Sister Nathalie Becquart in front of the Holy Office. I walked over to greet them. Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, Cardinal Leo of Montreal, and Cardinal Lacroix of Quebec were there. Another cardinal greeted me, and we chatted a bit. Then, we parted ways.

I later asked who he was. They told me he was Cardinal Prevost from the Dicastery for Bishops. When he was elected pope, I was quite moved. That brief encounter made me feel he's a man who doesn't put himself forward.

Subsequent meetings followed. I was able to greet him after his inauguration Mass [on May 18, Ed.] with the ecumenical delegates. Then came the private audience on July 4. A few weeks later, I saw him again at the Jubilee of Youth [in August 2025]. I saw him once more during the interreligious meeting with Sant'Egidio [in October 2025]. And finally, a fifth time this past March 21, as it's something of a tradition for the Taizé prior to visit Rome every year in March.

What kind of man is the pope during these moments?

Brother Matthew: First of all, I'm struck by his listening skills. Pope Francis was spontaneous, and that was magnificent. But Pope Leo is a listener who doesn't react immediately. He really takes his time. I feel that when you say something that resonates with him, he speaks very freely.

I leave these conversations with the impression that this is Peter confirming his brothers. There's a de facto closeness with Taizé because the themes that have been apparent since the beginning of his ministry — peace and unity — are also our vocation. Similarly, his desire to continue on the path of the Synod on Synodality resonates with us, since we're highly involved in this process.

During the audiences, we also discuss critical situations in the world today, and what a community — which isn't an NGO or a diplomatic service — can offer.

What are the focal points that Leo XIV has specifically brought up?

Brother Matthew: He has shared, for example, his concern for young people who, after the COVID lockdowns, don't see the need to live in community. It's a major question for him. It involves passing on a sense of community to youth who haven't experienced it. This is also our mission at Taizé, where we welcome young people from all over the world who discover a praying community and a life with their peers. The Pope highlighted the need for such places.

Leo XIV is also worried about issues of unity within the Catholic Church. He expresses a great desire to keep everyone together. In this sense, we discussed the more traditionalist youth who come to Taizé. We notice that many young people today cling to events, to powerful experiences that span a wide spectrum. They go on the Chartres pilgrimage, they also attend sessions run by the Emmanuel Community, and they come to us at Taizé.

In all of this, they're seeking experiences they consider authentic. Some seek what they believe to be a stability coming from the past, which reassures them in this time of instability. I perceived that the Pope's concern was to help them all discover a true Catholicity. He doesn't want to say "do this, or don't do that," but he wants to open himself up to everyone and not let them close themselves off behind their partitions.

Regarding ecumenical topics in particular, how do you perceive Leo XIV's position?

Brother Matthew: I feel a great deal of attention. He's very open. He draws from his personal background as someone who has lived in community and for whom community matters immensely. He also relies on his missionary experience, concerned with how to pass on the faith today.

And I think this is a vision shared by all Christians. In my opinion, we're, in a certain sense, in a “post-ecumenical” stage. Divisions among Christians aren't the greatest concern. The big question is how to pass on the faith today. And to do this, we're ready to walk together with those who want to share the same path. Within the Catholic Church, the synodal process of recent years has facilitated the recognition of diversity.

What are the future areas of collaboration between Taizé and the Holy See?

Brother Matthew: Looking ahead to World Youth Day in Seoul [in August 2027], we offered our availability to highlight the ecumenical dimensions of the event. Among Christians in Korea, Catholics aren't the majority, and this deserves attention in the preparation and organization.

Also on the horizon is the great Jubilee of 2033. Leo XIV has scheduled a meeting for the leaders of Christian denominations in Jerusalem. Will the Taizé community be involved?

Brother Matthew: I don't know, we'll see. These visible signs of unity are very important. We saw this during the "Together" ecumenical vigil on the evening of September 30, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. On that occasion, Pope Francis gave a blessing alongside the leaders of other Christian denominations. It's a lasting image.

Even if unity is imperfect, all the visible signs we can give are important steps on the journey. If there can be a shared celebration in 2033, all the better. But I'd also say we must ensure it remains very humble. It shouldn't be about making this anniversary of the resurrection something triumphalist, or a way to impose a vision that could hurt other people.