Does Pope Leo XIV Read Timeless & Timely?
Of course not. Don’t be silly. But his priorities are reminiscent of our topics.
“One religion is as true as another.”
— Robert Burton, 1621
Readers (or even casual browsers) have seen the Timeless & Timely tagline: “Because character doesn’t change with the headlines.”
Such is our shorthand for the timeless principles that bind all humans and give us pause to consider what we need in leaders and in each other in a world otherwise fraught by constant chaos, cacophony, and change.
Last year, when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elevated to Pope Leo XIV, we pondered on the significance of his name, noting “the names that popes select for themselves carry meaning, ranging from their personal values to their strategic goals.”1
Lest there be any doubt about Leo XIV’s values and goals, last week he released his first Encyclical (more about that in the main newsletter this week — make sure you’re signed up). But over the weekend, this tweet from the pope caught my eye:
“Connecting young people to digital networks serves no purpose if they remain disconnected from themselves, others, and their own interiority. We must help young people rediscover silence, reflection, the ability to ask questions, the depth of relationships, and openness to transcendence. To listen to the soul, we must lend an ear, because the soul’s voice is not a shout, but a whisper.”
There’s quite a bit to unpack here — and my preference is to avoid taking up too much of your valuable Monday analyzing these three sentences — so I’ll be brief and Ill supply you with further reading to reflect on this message.
Before you scroll — save this entry. It’s rich with content and the footnotes contain multitudes, so scroll down or use the app or website to have them pop up.
Knowing ourselves2 is one of the most important and profound things we can do. Ancient philosophers knew this and it remains true to this day.
Being connected to ourselves means taking time to slow down, looking at things slowly and deliberately. “We seem to be always running to one thing or another—and in some cases, running from ourselves.”3
In addition to silence and reflection, one of the best ways to know yourself and to understand others is by asking questions.4 5
In 2022, I wrote: “We can learn a lot — about ourselves, about others — if we pay attention to the silence in our lives.”6 Nearly four years later, the same simple but profound truth remains.7
One last item worth calling out is the popes use of the word transcendence. The word may be unfamiliar to some, but its widely appreciated around these parts, as transcendence is a broad category of character and values we talk about.
According to the VIA Institute on Character, transcendence includes traits such as appreciation of beauty8, spirituality, gratitude9, hope10, and humor11. These are traits that go beyond the observable, residing deep within us. And they come out when we spend time getting to know ourselves.
I could go on (I already went longer than I expected to), but here’s the main takeaway:
There’s so much to learn. I hope you’ll take the time to subscribe, explore, and share Timeless & Timely.
Be sure to read the footnotes12, explore more using the search function, and our Browse page for whatever topic speaks to you.
Thank you for being part of this journey and being interested in the timeless values of humanity.
There’s so much to learn,
“What’s in a Name?” Timeless & Timely, May 8, 2025
See what the five questions are that we can ask to know ourselves in “The Best Leadership Advice of All Time,” March 29, 2022
From “What You’re Missing By Constantly Running,” June 1, 2022
“Why Do Leaders Encourage Questions?” October 19, 2022
“Want Some Additional Reading About Questions?” October 19, 2022
“The Sound of Silence” September 21, 2022
Other entries on silence include: “Listen to the Silence” September 11, 2025; “An Awkward Silence” October 11, 2023; “The Power of Silence in Leadership” February 17, 2020
All Timeless & Timely entries tagged with Reflection, Emotional Intelligence, and Self-Awareness