Pope Leo XIII was leader of the Catholic Church from 1878-1903. Historians such as Raymond H.
Schmandt and Eric O’ Hanson have suggested that in rejuvenating the Church’s position in the modern
world, Leo stood ideologically as a “progressive.” 2 3 This is a mis-reading of Catholic history and
reflective of historical accounts that look at Leo’s pontificate through political lenses! To imply that
Leo was a “progressive” is to suggest that he changed Catholic truths and reached a “bipartisan”
agreement with modernity in the belief of “moving forwards.” This is a misleading conclusion that
neglects the language of Catholicism.