Cardinal Duka: Pope Leo XIV knew the consequences of communism

Vatican City - It is common knowledge that Pope Leo XIV knows his home country, the USA, and his mission country, Peru. But he is also familiar with the consequences of communism in Eastern Europe. The former Archbishop of Prague reports on this.

Published on 10.06.2025 at 15:56 –

Leo XIV, the first pope from the USA, is apparently a convinced anti-communist - because of the painful experiences of his religious community in Eastern Europe. This was reported by the former Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Dominik Duka (82), to the Roman daily newspaper "Il Messaggero" (Monday). According to Duka, the then superior of the order, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, visited the Czech Republic "at least ten times". As superior of the Augustinians (2001 to 2013), he was intensively involved in the reconstruction of religious life after 40 years of communist persecution.

He also visited the "Svata Dobrotiva" monastery in Zajecov. In this historically first Augustinian monastery in Bohemia, young priests, seminarians and small farmers were imprisoned and punished during the communist dictatorship. To this day, these crimes are commemorated every year.

Duka explained: "Against this background, it is easier to understand Pope Leo XIV's attitude towards totalitarian regimes, be they National Socialist or Communist. He knew very well the fate that the Augustinians and the Church and the peoples of Eastern Europe suffered in those years."

"Gender theory has Marxist roots"

Duka expects Leo XIV to devote himself intensively to the gender issue because of his clear stance on communism. The cardinal explained that gender theory is ultimately based on Marxist thinking. Karl Marx had called not only for nature and society to be analysed, but also for them to be changed. This thinking is also the basis for today's approaches, which do not want to resign themselves to the world as creation, but want to create a new nature.

Regarding the Pope's vision of peace, the Cardinal said that Leo XIV understood exactly that the Russian-Ukrainian war was taking place along a cultural and religious borderline and that Roman and Byzantine civilisation were clashing there. Everyone could see that this war was reopening old wounds and harboured the danger of escalating into a world war. The Pope therefore knew that he had to demand respect for international law and strengthen the hope for peace. (KNA)