“He went to Villanova!”
That was the first text message that hijacked my phone last Thursday.
All day long, a stream of messages poured in—most from my husband’s South Philly-born family—celebrating the newly selected Pope Leo XIV. Not only was he the first American Pope, but (arguably more important in my in-laws’ eyes) he was also a proud Wildcat—an alumnus of Villanova University, where my husband and his brothers all went to law school.
Of course, it’s not just Villanovans who have laid claim to the new Pope. Americans at large cheer the first U.S.-born pontiff. Chicago takes credit for being his birthplace. Peru celebrates his years of service as Bishop. African Americans highlight his Creole heritage. And the list goes on.
But eventually, all the affiliations and labels—geographic, academic, ethnic—will fade into the background.
Because once the confetti settles, it’s time to lead.
And that’s when it gets… complicated.
Why? Because everyone wants the new leader to make them happy.
Those who admired the more progressive stance of Pope Francis on certain issues are hoping Leo will follow suit. Conservatives are hoping the pendulum will swing back toward tradition. In short, it would take—dare I say—a miracle to make everyone happy.
Sound familiar?
Sorry to burst your bubble (or your halo), but I have some bad news: he can’t.
And neither can you.
So what’s the alternative?
This is where tact, diplomacy, and authentic executive presence step in.
And if Pope Leo XIV is looking for a roadmap for what comes next—not in the theological sense, but in the leadership communication sense—he could do worse than to borrow a few pages from the playbook of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Because while Francis didn’t make everyone happy (and wasn’t trying to), he did offer some powerful lessons on how to lead when expectations are high and opinions are loud and widely divergent.
Here are four leadership lessons worth learning—from Francis, for Leo, and for the rest of us navigating the realities of executive leadership today:
1. He didn’t put himself on a pedestal.
Sure, he had a chauffeured Popemobile (a reasonable ask, in my opinion, given the need for bulletproof glass), but he didn’t talk down to–or about–anyone.
His communication style was grounded in compassion. He led with humility. His words aligned with his actions—and that consistency earned trust.
For leaders, this is where emotional intelligence meets executive presence. Whether you’re in a boardroom or a town hall, people want to know you understand them—not just the metrics.
2. He listened—with intention, and at scale.
Pope Francis invited parishes across the globe to hold “listening sessions” to understand what people needed from their churches—what was working, and what wasn’t—and for the findings to be reported back to Rome.
Of course, listening to over a billion people is no small task.
Depending on your worldview, you may take a jaded perspective, believing the whole effort was futile at best or performative at worst. Or you may view it more optimistically, as a glimmer of progress: perhaps the first truly global listening campaign in the Church’s history, with the potential to inspire meaningful, positive change.
At minimum, it acknowledged the value of the voices in the pews—not just the ones in the pulpits.
Modern leaders face the same challenge: dismiss listening as a box-checking exercise, or treat it as the foundation for insight, alignment, and trust.
Your people will know the difference.
3. He spoke the language of his audience—literally and figuratively.
Historically, Popes are no strangers to language mastery. Pope John Paul II famously spoke 12 languages. Benedict XVI spoke 7. Francis spoke at least 5, and like all Popes, could read Latin. Pope Leo XIV reportedly speaks at least five modern languages fluently too—so he’s in good company.
But it’s not just about verb conjugation.
Francis learned to speak to vastly different audiences throughout his career:
- the powerful elite in Rome
- the clergy and parishioners in Argentina where he rose through the ranks
- the global media
- world heads of state
- and local faith communities alike
He knew how to connect with people where they were—culturally, emotionally, and spiritually.
That might not have been officially on his résumé, but I guarantee it’s a huge part of how he received the unanimous vote of approval to become pope in 2013.
That’s the ultimate leadership communication skill: adapting your message and delivery to suit your audience without losing yourself in the process.
4. He found—and protected—his own voice.
To that last point, despite pressures from all sides, Francis forged his own path.
He flexed when needed, but he never became a chameleon. He knew who he was and what he stood for. He forged new paths but had red lines—and he honored them.
In leadership, that’s your brand. That’s your core. And that clarity is what people follow—not perfection.
As Leo XIV steps into his role, we’ll soon discover where his red lines are.
But what about yours?
If you’re a leader struggling to walk the line between competing priorities and passionately divergent viewpoints, you're not alone. That balancing act is not a flaw in your leadership—it’s the reality of it.
And if you're wondering how to strengthen the communication skills necessary to lead through uncertainty, navigate tough conversations, and inspire teams with different perspectives—this is where executive communication coaching makes all the difference.
Because here’s the truth: being good at your job got you here.
But the ability to inspire, influence, and lead through complexity?
That’s what will get you to what’s next.
