As Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, 18 May, a respected voice from Thailand’s interfaith community offered a thoughtful reflection on the Church’s new leader.
Dr. Boonchuay Doojai, a former Buddhist monk, noted scholar, and chairman of the Thai Interfaith Foundation for Social Development, described the election of Pope Leo XIV—the first American pontiff—as a deeply symbolic moment for the world.
“By choosing the name Leo XIV, he signals a return to the bold social teachings of the Church—emphasizing justice, dialogue, and unity to heal the global divisions of our time,” Dr. Boonchuay observed.
The new pope’s first public message in Italian, rather than English, and his greeting in Spanish for his former community in Peru offered insight into his inclusive and pastoral priorities. “His first words—La pace sia con tutti voi! or ‘Peace be with you!’—echoed the Catholic liturgy but were clearly intended as a universal call for peace in a world marred by conflict,” he said.
During the inauguration Mass, Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for peace in regions ravaged by war, echoing the final moments of his predecessor, Pope Francis. “His voice still rings in our ears—soft, but always full of courage,” Leo XIV said, referring to Pope Francis’s last public blessing on Easter Sunday, just one day before his death.
Dr. Boonchuay, who also serves as Director General of the Buddhist Bodhivalaya Institute, recalled his personal encounter with Pope Francis at the Focolare Movement’s international center in Loppiano, Italy, in May 2018.
“It was one of the greatest honors of my life. I met a man of deep humility who lived his pontificate simply and gracefully, embodying the values of dialogue, love, and acceptance,” he said.
Reflecting on the contrast in styles between the two popes, Dr. Boonchuay noted that while Pope Francis famously declined traditional papal attire from the start of his reign in 2013, Pope Leo XIV wore the traditional red mozzetta over a white cassock during his inauguration.
“He is clearly following in the footsteps of Pope Francis, yet he is also charting his own course—honoring tradition while embracing change. He reminds us that a new pope brings not just continuity but also a renewed direction,” he said.
Just over a week into his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has already made a strong impression on Dr. Boonchuay. “What strikes me most is his ability to listen empathetically—even to those who disagree with him—and to seek understanding and unity,” he remarked. “He is a man who truly wants peace in the world and harmony within the Church.”
