In the interview of the media group Bavaria on Friday, he said that Leo showed himself to be a cosmopolitan personality who knows the universal Church from various perspectives and takes time to think: "He wants to build bridges and is the guarantor of the unity of the church," according to Marx.
The Pope does not stand for "jerky twists". Instead, he wants to develop things and make sure that everyone stays together. He emphasizes the idea of synodality and adheres to the line of the Second Vatican Council. "Surprisingly, some may, how seriously and consistently he goes this way, without hurry, but with great care," Marx added.
Ernesti: Theological outing overdue
Church historian Jörg Ernesti expressed surprise in the "Deutsche Welle" interview on Thursday about how thoughtfully and reflects the Pope is addressing his office. In Italy, he is already referred to as the "Papa Calmo" as the quiet pope.
"Everything he says is very well thought out and conclusive," Ernesti said. From his point of view, it is a concern of the Pope to put the consensus on the renewal of the Church on the broadest possible footing and to take everyone with him.
However, a "theological outing" in a first major encyclical is overdue: Popes in such an encyclical "in a way have formulated their theological program," according to the church historian. He expects an early "theological overall view": "It would be unusual and actually too little if Leo focused only on a concrete question, for example the meaning of AI, would be expressed."
The Münster theologian Christian Bauer describes Pope Leo as a prudent reformer, "who seems to master the art of subtle but sustainable system change." His recent remarks on the controversial blessing for same-sex couples are also a "masterpiece" in this regard, Bauer wrote in the theological portal "feinschwarz.net".
The Pope had circumvented the "interview traps of a journalist" and refused to make a clear conviction. Only after a "relativating redimensioning of the problem" did he repeat the well-known Roman position. At the same time, he also kept a "door open for tomorrow."
According to the professor of pastoral theology and homiletics, one should not underestimate Pope Leo because of his obvious kindness, because he is "not only gentle, but also gentle. Prudent, but not cowardly."
Leo is a "soft lion", but at some point he has to pull out his claws and go beyond the legacy of his predecessor: "For his courageously outwardly represented options of peace, justice and equality, he must then consequently also enter the interior of the church," says Bauer.
Pope as an honest broker
The most recently teaching in Freiburg in Switzerland, emeritus historian Volker Reinhardt recognizes with Pope Leo a "wise restraint" that makes it difficult to take stock after a year. In Friday's "Communio" interview, he said the conflict between U.S. President Donald Trump and the pope had mostly originated from Washington.
For Leo XIV. stands with his "criticism of war, violence and tyranny" and his plea for peace in a tradition of one and a half a thousand and a half years.
For the future, Reinhardt can imagine that Leo XIV could act as an "honest broker" in the current crises: The papacy has qualified for this role since John XXIII, i.e. since 1958. It holds very general humanitarian values high and can thus mediate between ideologically differently oriented parties.
"A reserved pope like Leo XIV would be quite suitable for such a role," the historian said.