Mexican who shared a group with Leo XIV in the Synod: he never wanted to be the center of attention

José Manuel de Urquidi, a Mexican family who participated in the Synod of Sinodality in 2024 in the Vatican and who for two weeks spoke at the table or minor circle with Pope Leo XIV and other assistants, shared with ACI Press his first impressions after the choice of the first American and Peruvian pontiff of the history of the Catholic Church.

“He never wanted to be the center of attention”

“He is a reflexive man, a deep thinker. He never wanted to be the center of attention; he does not feel the need to speak if he does not believe he has something to contribute,” Urquidi’s Press, founder of Juan Diego Networkan initiative that serves Latinos with evangelization projects.

This young layman also considered that the new Pope “has a deep spirituality and, at the same time, is a very practical man. Close to people, but not as an outgoing, since he has a more serious personality, although that does not mean that he has a great sense of humor.”

“He cares deeply for each person. He caught my attention how it was clear that each one cares and has a great love for bishops around the world.”

In the Church he will seek “listen to everyone” by joining “people in Christ”

The founder of Juan Diego Network also told ACI Press that “perhaps because of his experiences as a missionary in Peru and, more recently, for being so close to the bishops, Pope Leo XIV is a man with a deep conviction that a synodal and missionary church is key in these times.”

(In the photo, from Urquidi is on the right next to the then Cardinal Prevost, today Pope Leo XIV)

The Holy Father was a bishop of Chiclayo and Apostolic Administrator in Callao in Peru and then, by mandate of Pope Francis, prefect of the Dicasterio for the bishops, the Vatican organ that supervises bishops worldwide and proposes candidates.

“In order of the Church,” said Urquidi, “with Catholics with different vocations, charisms, experiences, local realities and dreams and visions about the future of the Church, it will undoubtedly seek to listen to everyone and dialogue with them, joining people in Christ.”

Tender bridges “with whom they do not practice our faith”

And in his relationship with the world, he continued, Pope León “will undoubtedly be in constant dialogue, having bridges with whom they do not practice our faith to work together in what we share for the good of humanity.”

All this, he concluded, taking into account “to be in the mission of Christ: evangelize and present those who do not know God their love and mercy, the fullness of the truth; his Church. In short, he is a very Catholic Pope in every way of what this means.”