American Hope: What Pope Leo XIV means for the Church and the World Author: Christopher Lamb ISBN-13: 978-1035440573Publisher: HeadlineGuideline Price: £25Christopher Lamb, CNN’s Vatican Correspondent who covered the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, is well-placed to assess the impact the first American (and Augustinian) pope might have on the fortunes of the Catholic Church. Robert Prevost, as the new pope was previously known, was promoted by Francis to the rank of cardinal bishop, the highest rank within the college of cardinals, which indicates that Prevost was supportive of the new direction Francis wanted to bring the Catholic Church, though not necessarily of the way he set about achieving his goals. According to Lamb, Leo will be a listening pope, a consensus builder, traditional, but not traditionalist, a steady hand at the helm. A senior figure in the Vatican, on seeing him emerge after his election on the balcony of St Peter’s wearing a short red cape over his white cassock, remarked: “He dresses like Benedict, speaks like Francis”. Leo is aware of the importance of combining a respect for tradition and providing prophetic leadership. He knows that change within a global organisation like the church is never likely to be quick and that he will be pressured from all sides to make decisions on an enhanced role for women and their possible ordination as priests; reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community; handling the Vatican finances; liturgical renewal; addressing the continuing fallout from the clerical abuse scandals. Lamb notes: “As a personality, Leo has a gift for appealing to different groups in the Church, for reassuring Catholics hopeful of reform and those wary of too much change”. That gift will be vital in the years ahead.Although he has lived outside the US (he hails from Chicago) for many years, having spent many years in Peru, his US connections were undoubtedly important in his election. Leo is one of the few world leaders who could address issues such as immigration, global wars and human rights with US president Donald Trump and possibly be listened to. His fluency in many languages also equips him to communicate effectively on the global stage.Leo has not yet put his particular stamp on the papacy but there are millions hoping that he can guide the church and the world towards a better future. Lamb’s enlightening book prompts optimism on that score.Eamon Maher is a lecturer in TU Dublin