(ZENIT News / Rome, 12.29.2025).- In a year marked by geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, and social unrest, the Italian Encyclopedia Institute Treccani has recognized Pope Leo XIV as its 2025 Person of the Year. The decision underscores the impact of a pontificate that, while understated in public spectacle, embodies foundational Christian values such as sobriety, discernment, and attentive listening—qualities the Institute lauds as emblematic of “a Church for the poor.”
The Treccani Yearbook 2025 emphasizes the Pope’s deliberate choice to temper his visibility and rhetoric. “Parsimonious in presence and words,” Leo XIV has navigated the pressures of global attention by avoiding polarizing categorizations, both politically and theologically. This measured approach contrasts sharply with the high-octane rhetoric of contemporary world leaders, positioning the pontiff as a stabilizing presence in an era of fragmented narratives and competing ambitions.
A historic figure in several respects, Leo XIV is the first American Pope, the first to exercise the mission-minded approach of modern evangelization, and the first from the Augustinian order since its notable historical prominence. His prior experience as a missionary and church administrator in Peru has informed a governance style that balances pragmatism with pastoral sensitivity. Today, as the world confronts the ambitions of resurgent powers and interconnected global crises, the Pope faces the challenge of setting priorities in an exceedingly complex agenda, one that demands selective interventions, calibrated responses, and judicious postponements.
The Treccani Yearbook, now in its 26th edition, recounts 365 days of history through a meticulous compilation of 1,169 in-depth reports, 108 commissioned articles, 95 editorial boxes, 81 graphics, and 446 images. The volume situates Leo XIV at the center of the international stage, portraying a pontificate intent on cultivating a form of peace that is both “disarmed and disarming.” As Treccani director Marcello Sorgi noted, the Pope has emerged as a pivotal figure in a year otherwise dominated by conflict and uncertainty, combining spiritual authority with strategic foresight.
Leo XIV’s recognition by Treccani reflects not only his influence within ecclesiastical circles but also his capacity to project a moral and diplomatic presence in world affairs. By exercising quiet leadership, prioritizing pastoral care, and resisting the pressures to adopt extremes, he has positioned the Catholic Church as a thoughtful actor in global discussions on justice, peace, and human dignity.
Treccani’s choice highlights the power of restraint and the enduring resonance of principled leadership. Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate exemplifies the subtle yet profound ways in which faith, prudence, and strategic patience can shape both ecclesial and worldly discourse, confirming the enduring relevance of the Church in a rapidly changing global context.
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