"Such a pope the Church now needs". Dr. Adam Sosnowski on Leon XIV
date:22 July 2025 Editor: Anna
Dr. Adam Sosnowski – journalist, editor and author of Leon XIV's first biography, gave an interview to the web portal historian.pl. In an interview with Agnieszka Cybulska, he spoke about the scenes of his fresh book, which appeared at a evidence rate after the election of the fresh Successor of St. Peter, and besides portrayed the figure of Robert Prevost-Leon XIV and his expectations and predictions: “... Leon knows the modern planet and is curious in technology, and as Pope he has already paid attention to the dangers of artificial intelligence. I would not be amazed if the first encyclical of the Pope, which he presently writes at Castel Gandolfo, was devoted to this subject.”
The thought of writing Leon XIV's biography was born out of the interest of net users reporting from the Vatican, in which Dr. Sosnowski first reported preparations for the conclave, and then its course and the beginning of the pontificate of the fresh pope – released on the YouTube channel by White Raven, had respective million views. The book was based on meetings and talks with people who knew Fr. Robert Prevost, including the present Augustian general Fr. Alejandro Antón, cardinals participating in the conclave or Polish Augustian Fr.Peter Lamprecht, who laid perpetual vows on the hands of the then general. The latter, like his Kraków brothers, was besides invaluable erstwhile it came to searching for monastery archives, so that a unique chapter about Leon XIV's future relation with Poland could be created. “I am very happy,” says Dr. Sosnowski, that I managed to discover it, due to the fact that it is especially crucial from our national position and confirms that the fresh Holy Father knows our Homeland – and not only knows it, but besides appreciates it.” The cooperation of photographer Michael Klag, who accompanied Dr. Sosnowski in the Vatican, as well as Fr.Prof. Janusz Królikowski, author of an extended historical part, bringing together the silhouettes of all the predecessors of the present pope bearing the same name, including Leon Wielki and Leon XIII, on whom Leon XIV referred.
In his assessment of the fresh Successor, Dr. Sosnowski emphasizes the importance of his choice of a name not referring to direct predecessors, as well as his ability to perceive and the Augustian Formation, that is, “understanding the request for missionary activities, the Christocentric theological foundation and the love of life in the community”. He besides evokes his erstwhile biography – childhood and youth in the suburbs of Chicago, opposition to abortion, US political commitment, missionary work in Peru or interest in modern technology – and views, including the defence of Catholic orthodoxy. However, he points out that it is besides early to draw far - reaching conclusions: “It is essential to give the pope time, especially since neither he nor the Catholic Church act hastily. surely the first encyclical of the Holy Father will be an crucial signpost, and the Vatican says that it will appear at the end of this year, possibly in November." In conclusion, he announces that it does not exclude the appearance of the fresh volume of Leon XIV's biography after the end of a year, which would examine changes in the Church for the pontificate of the fresh pope.
Source: historianon.pl, study. AM
Adam Sosnowski, Fr Janusz Królikowski: "Leon XIV. Illustrated Biography", Wyd. Biały Kruk, 416 pages, 165 x 235 mm format. More at https://biallykruk.pl/bookshop/bookshop/leon-xiv-illustrated biography
In his assessment of the fresh Successor, Dr. Sosnowski emphasizes the importance of his choice of a name not referring to direct predecessors, as well as his ability to perceive and the Augustian Formation, that is, “understanding the request for missionary activities, the Christocentric theological foundation and the love of life in the community”. He besides evokes his erstwhile biography – childhood and youth in the suburbs of Chicago, opposition to abortion, US political commitment, missionary work in Peru or interest in modern technology – and views, including the defence of Catholic orthodoxy. However, he points out that it is besides early to draw far - reaching conclusions: “It is essential to give the pope time, especially since neither he nor the Catholic Church act hastily. surely the first encyclical of the Holy Father will be an crucial signpost, and the Vatican says that it will appear at the end of this year, possibly in November." In conclusion, he announces that it does not exclude the appearance of the fresh volume of Leon XIV's biography after the end of a year, which would examine changes in the Church for the pontificate of the fresh pope.
Source: historianon.pl, study. AM
Adam Sosnowski, Fr Janusz Królikowski: "Leon XIV. Illustrated Biography", Wyd. Biały Kruk, 416 pages, 165 x 235 mm format. More at https://biallykruk.pl/bookshop/bookshop/leon-xiv-illustrated biography
