Pope Leon XIV vs. King Louis XIV – Divine Right or Divine Irony?

In a twist of historical naming that had the Vatican chuckling behind its gilded doors, the newly elected Pope Leon XIV—born Robert Francis Prevost—has already stirred comparisons not only to his papal predecessors but also to one of France’s most famously absolutist monarchs: Louis XIV, the self-proclaimed “Sun King.”

At first glance, the name “Leon XIV” might conjure images of a Renaissance pope wielding spiritual authority with Baroque flair. But in our modern age, where popes tweet and cardinals TikTok dance challenges, the choice of “Leon” has sparked more than just theological reflection—it’s opened the door to a little royal satire.

The Sun King Rebooted?

While Louis XIV ruled France for 72 years (1643–1715) with an iron fist and a gilded scepter, declaring “L’État, c’est moi” (“I am the state”), Leon XIV seems determined to say something very different: “The Church, it’s all of us.”

If Louis XIV was all about centralizing power, Leon XIV is all about decentralizing ego. His first words as pope emphasized unity, peace, and collective healing—a far cry from Versailles’ opulence and divine-right politics. One could joke that while Louis built a palace to himself, Leon is trying to build a parish for everyone.

Still, the parallels are too juicy to ignore:

Both reigned (or will reign) during turbulent times.
Both inherited systems in crisis—Louis faced rebellious nobles; Leon faces a divided American Church and a global climate of distrust.
And both have names that sound like they belong in a history textbook or a Netflix miniseries.

Excerpt from Le Monde (Translated):

“A peine élu, Léon XIV prononce des paroles aux antipodes de l’esprit vengeur qui semble avoir saisi les Etats-Unis…”
— Blandine Chelini-Pont, Historienne, Le Monde, May 9, 2025

This translated excerpt sets the tone for Leon XIV’s papacy: a clear departure from the divisive political rhetoric currently dominating U.S. public life, especially the MAGA movement. In contrast to the vengeful spirit permeating American culture wars, the new pope calls for reconciliation, humility, and a return to the core Christian values of peace and love.

The Achievements of Leon XIV (So Far): A Papal Parody Forecast

Based on his early gestures and inaugural address, here’s how we might imagine Leon XIV’s legacy shaping up—if we let the comparison run wild:

1. Ending the Culture Wars with a Hug

Just as Louis XIV tried to suppress internal dissent by making the nobility dependent on Versailles, Leon XIV aims to end Catholic infighting—not through courtly manipulation, but through radical inclusivity. His message: “Let’s all hold hands and pray together, even if some of us voted MAGA and others still think ‘Franciscan’ is a type of sandwich.”

=> Achievement unlocked: United Catholics under one roof—temporarily, at least.

2. Global Peacemaker (Even Between Nuclear Neighbors)

His election coincided with rising tensions between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors who’ve never taken papal mediation advice seriously. Yet Leon XIV, undeterred, declared peace as his top priority—perhaps hoping that a few well-timed rosaries and olive branches might do what diplomats couldn’t.

=> Achievement unlocked: Invited to mediate the next cricket match between India and Pakistan. It’s a start.

3. Reviving the Spirit of Unity on D-Day Anniversaries

Speaking during a divided commemoration of an armistice steeped in revisionism, Leon XIV called for reconciliation—not rewriting history, but remembering it with humility. While Louis XIV would have commissioned a painting glorifying his own role in such events, Leon simply prayed.

=> Achievement unlocked: Got two historians from opposing sides to nod politely at each other during Mass.

4. American Roots, Global Vision

Unlike Louis XIV, whose nationalism was legendary, Leon XIV is proudly American—yet insists on transcending national boundaries. Born in Illinois, with French, Italian, and Spanish roots, he embodies a melting pot rather than a fortress. In doing so, he subtly critiques the current isolationist mood in parts of the U.S., particularly among Trumpian circles.

=> Achievement unlocked: First pope to quote both Thomas Aquinas and Lin-Manuel Miranda in the same homily.

5. Tech-Savvy Shepherd for a Digital Flock

While Louis XIV used the printing press to spread his image as the Sun King, Leon XIV harnesses TikTok and Twitter to preach the Gospel. He’s not just relevant—he’s viral. Whether it’s blessing drones that deliver aid to remote regions or hosting a livestreamed Stations of the Cross with emojis, Leon XIV meets people where they are: online. His Instagram stories include everything from papal audiences to him trying (and failing) to make espresso.

=> Achievement unlocked: Trending on Twitter without ever saying “excommunication.”

6. Eco-Warrior in a World Gone Wild

Climate change has gone feral—literally. Polar bears are migrating into cities, wildfires singe the Vatican gardens, and the Tiber River occasionally glows an ominous green. In response, Leon XIV doubles down on Laudato si’, launching a global eco-crusade called Green Redemption. He rides a solar-powered popemobile, blesses wind turbines like they’re relics, and persuades oil-rich monarchs to sponsor reforestation projects—with indulgences now available for verified carbon offsets.

=> Achievement unlocked: The first papal selfie taken while hugging a tree in front of melting Arctic ice.

7. Reforming the Vatican Like a Startup CEO

Leon XIV doesn’t just reform the Curia—he disrupts it. Inspired by Silicon Valley and Jesuit efficiency, he replaces cardinals with a rotating council of young theologians, tech experts, and even a nun who once ran a successful app-based soup kitchen. Bureaucratic gridlock? Gone. Scandals? Investigated by blockchain. The Sistine Chapel now runs on renewable energy and offers guided meditation AR tours.

=> Achievement unlocked: A 10% approval rating increase among Gen Z Catholics—mostly because Mass is now “streamable” and comes with free coffee.

8. Canonizing the Unlikely Saints

In a twist that makes traditionalists clutch their breviaries, Leon XIV canonizes a hacker who leaked corruption data, a drag queen who volunteered at a Catholic AIDS shelter, and a TikTok priest known for rapping the Psalms. He declares that holiness can be found anywhere—even in controversy—and that sainthood isn’t about perfection but transformation.

=> Achievement unlocked: Attendance spikes at Sunday Mass… mostly to see if the next saint will be someone controversial again.

9. Diplomatic Rock Star

From Pyongyang to Caracas, Leon XIV becomes the only world leader both sides will actually listen to—at least for a few minutes. He brokers a ceasefire over a Zoom call during Lent, convinces dictators to release political prisoners in exchange for a blessed rosary, and somehow gets Elon Musk to fund a satellite that beams Scripture into internet blackspots.

=> Achievement unlocked: Named “Most Likely to Be Mistaken for a Plot Device in a Dan Brown Novel.”

10. Leaving a Legacy That Divides the Historians

In the end, Leon XIV’s legacy is anything but simple. Some hail him as the prophet of a new Church—open, digital, and daring. Others accuse him of selling out tradition for likes and diplomacy. But no one denies he changed the game. Future popes will either build on his vision—or spend decades cleaning up after it.

=> Achievement unlocked: Canonization petition started before he even dies. Controversy locked in for eternity.

In Short: From Divine Right to Divine Diplomacy

So, is Leon XIV the new Sun King of the soul? Perhaps—but instead of ruling by divine right, he leads by divine invitation. Instead of building palaces, he’s building bridges. And instead of saying “I am the state,” he whispers gently, “We are the Church.”

Let’s hope this papal parody becomes a papal prophecy—and that Leon XIV’s reign brings more light than heat, more hugs than hashtags, and maybe—just maybe—a little less MAGA madness into a world sorely in need of peace.