Cardinal Duka: Pope Leo XIV knows the consequences of communism

It is common knowledge that Pope Leo XIV knows his home country, the USA, and his missionary country, Peru. But he is also familiar with the evil consequences of communism in Eastern Europe.

Jun 09, 2025

∙ Paid

**Pope** **Leo** XIV greets people as he rides in the popemobile before celebrating Pentecost Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 8, 2025, concluding the Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, Associations and New Communities. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

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.

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