This commentary from the Global Catholic website contrasts the different emphases that can be seen in the itineraries of Pope Leo’s travels. It can be seen as a consistent core message directed toward different audiences. In the Middle East and Africa he spoke to encourage the faithful in loving Christians lives in societies that sometimes make that difficult. In Spain and France he met with leaders of secular states to promote the role of faith.

When Leo goes to South America he will be speaking mostly with Church leadership in environments where people have drifted away from the Church. As the author of this commentary notes, the question for the Church now is “not how to win back those who have left, but how to become a home worth returning to.”