One does not need to be Catholic, nor even have a predisposition to feel part of something greater than oneself, to recognize the impact of Pope Leo XIV's tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. That is why, for someone like me, who made Chile their adopted country for nearly 32 years, it is impossible not to feel disappointment at its exclusion from this, his sixth trip. We have missed out on something that, beyond debatable long-term effects, would have been socially soothing. It will be said that all papal trips, without exception, unfold amid adoring crowds — crowds that, curiously, seem not to shrink even as Catholicism loses ground in Latin America. However, something striking happens with the former bishop of Chiclayo: his message, as evidenced by testimonials on social media from people outside that faith, seems to transcend the boundaries of belief. Leo XIV has been revealing his own imprint through an intellectual and pastoral biography that serves as a bridge between different worlds, as well as a warm and calm style, not without courage, as when he confronted Donald Trump. It is well known that popes tailor their messages to the circumstances of the countries they visit, but the current one seems to have made the defense of democracy, the limits of power, and citizen participation a constant of his first international trips. This was already seen in Spain and France. He emphasizes the balance of powers, respect for the Rule of Law, and the role of institutions in the face of political polarization. In Peru, paraphrasing his predecessor, he recalled that politics "is a very high calling, one of the most precious forms of charity, because it seeks the common good." For those of us who believe that the state of politics is one of the main problems of our time — in line with Levitsky and Ziblatt, for whom the crisis of representation and the weakening of institutions create a blockage preventing the resolution of any other issue — the papal emphasis could not be more timely. It is said that the current Supreme Pontiff has had to confront an era, that of generative AI, for which he issued his first encyclical (Magnífica Humanitas), as transformative as the one Leo XIII faced with the industrial revolution. The choice of his name reveals an awareness of the moment, one characterized as a polycrisis and geoeconomic fragmentation. Therefore, and despite leaving behind criticism — most notably the demand for greater firmness against sexual abuse — it is worth recalling what Gabriel Levinas, a Jew and an atheist, wrote after his time in Argentina: "We were lost. And the Pope came and gave us a compass." By María de los Ángeles Fernández Ramil, PhD in Political Science. NEWSLETTEROpinionSaturday, AMIdeas in tension, opposing viewpoints, and clear analysis: elements to uncover the issues that divide opinions and will shape the agenda. By subscribing, you are accepting the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies of La Tercera.