BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN REFLECTS ON ONE YEAR OF POPE LEO XIV’S PONTIFICATE

Diocese of Brooklyn Leader Cites Holy Father’s Commitment
to the Poor, Peace, and Young People

One year after the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan reflected on a pontificate defined by missionary zeal, a profound concern for the poor, and a remarkable ability to connect with young people around the world.

Bishop Brennan spoke with Christine Persichette of Currents News for a special edition to mark the one-year anniversary of the election of Pope Leo, looking back at his first year leading the global church.

CONCERN FOR THE POOR

In the interview, Bishop Brennan noted the Holy Father’s first apostolic exhortation was an immediate expression of his missionary priorities — a letter rooted in the conviction that God’s love is directed in a special way toward the poor.

“You could see how his experience had that interpretive tool in concern for the poor,” said Bishop Brennan. “And when he says that, boy, he has the credits to stand behind it — because he did go out himself. He did become poor. I visited mission territory, he lived it.” (3:22 in video below)

A PASTOR, NOT A POLITICIAN

Pope Leo XIV has made peace a defining theme of his pontificate, speaking consistently on global conflict with a moral clarity that Bishop Brennan says sets him apart from the political fray.

“He said, in his own words, ‘I’m a pastor, not a politician,’” Bishop Brennan noted. “And that doesn’t mean his argument isn’t important — in fact, it’s more important. It’s a consistent message, not directed just at particular people at particular times. We need to be constantly on the side of peace. As the pastor, he speaks with the moral conscience of the world. And it really makes us stop and think.” (4:49 in video below)

SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE OF THE YOUNG

In his comments, Bishop Brennan noted Pope Leo XIV’s connection with younger generations has been one of the most striking aspects of his first year. Bishop Brennan attributed this in part to the Holy Father’s deep familiarity with American culture — not just the language, but its idioms, its media, and its lived experience.

“He speaks the language of the young. He can speak to the cultural realities that people are experiencing,” said Bishop Brennan. “It’s not only that he speaks English — he speaks American English. He knows the idioms. He knows the culture. He watched the TV, he watched the movies. He can connect with a lot of our own experiences, and that’s true with the young. His message was a message of hope for the young people — a message of confidence, to trust in that friendship with Jesus Christ.” (6:38 in video below)

THE POPE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bishop Brennan also highlighted Pope Leo XIV’s embrace of technology as a pastoral tool — including a live video interaction with young people at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). At the same time, the Pope has presented a clear message warning about its limits.

“In a sense, he’s the Pope of Technology,” Bishop Brennan said. “He’s used technology very well to connect with the young. He sent video messages to different gatherings of young people. And he speaks about the good use of technology but also puts up the guardrails. One of his big themes is AI — and he reminds all of us that AI can be a useful tool, but it doesn’t replace human relationships.” (7:26 in video below)

Looking ahead, Bishop Brennan expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV will visit the United States — noting that the United Nations in New York has historically been a draw for the Holy Father. Bishop Brennan is looking forward to leading a strong delegation from the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens to encounter the Pope next year at World Youth Day in South Korea.

“I hope he continues to call us all to a deeper friendship with Jesus Christ,” Bishop Brennan said. “I feel confident in that hope — because I can see clearly the direction in which he is leading us. (11:47 in video below)

The half-hour special, Pope Leo – One Year Later, will premiere at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 on Currents News, NET TV’s daily newscast from a Catholic perspective. Net TV is available in the New York area on Spectrum, channel 97; Optimum, channel 30; and Verizon FIOS, channel 548. Viewers can also watch Currents News online on YouTube or on netny.tv/currentsnews

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Facebook Live recorded: Vimeo.com/Bishop Brennan on Pope Leo
Courtesy: Currents News/Net TV