Pope Leo XIV, in his first 100 days in office, has restored stability to the papacy, calming nerves as he signals continuity with the pontificate of his predecessor Pope Francis, while making his reign one that focuses not on himself but on the church and the faith as a whole.

In a recent impromptu meeting with faithful around St. Peter’s Square, his informal spontaneity alarmed some looking for a change from Pope Francis’ papacy, but his message underlined his unifying and hopeful mantra when he asked young people to spread hope, faith and peace.

In the world witnessing major shifts in international relations resulting in wars, displacement, suffering, and uncertainty, one can only look at the new pope’s first 100 days in office and hope that his quiet, yet forceful, message can inspire leaders and nations in a way that re-instills hope and diminishes the hate that we see everywhere.

It is clear that Pope Leo has gone out of his way at the start of his papacy to heal the divisions that deepened within the church during Francis’s pontificate, offering messages of unity and avoiding controversy. His approach, even on highly complex issues such as his signature topic — confronting the promise and perils posed by artificial intelligence — is something that conservatives and progressives both in the church and outside agree is important.

His recent invitation to several dozen homeless people and church volunteers to join him at his summer vacation residence, celebrating a special Mass for his guests, is unlikely to raise eyebrows, even though his predecessor’s emphasis on caring for the environment and migrants often alienated conservatives in the church.

Compared with US President Donald Trump, who was immediately busy on the world stage with volleys of statements, executive orders, bruising remarks, and tantrums, the pope seems to have eased into his new job slowly, deliberately, and quietly, almost trying not to draw attention to himself. He has refused to do lengthy interviews, avoided creating headlines with off-the-cuff comments, and failed to make any senior staff appointments or even undertake a major trip abroad.