From social media comes a heartwarming story about a friendship forged between the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and St. Francis' wise, weathered dog named Tiberius.
Tiberius is no ordinary dog. A regal Labrador with graying fur and soulful eyes belonged to Pope Francis, who had passed him on to his successor with a simple note:
"He listens more than most cardinals and never forgets who needs love. Treat him as a brother." Francis.
Pope Leo XIV, a scholar known for his quiet demeanor and fondness for ancient texts, was initially uncertain what to do with such a gift. He had no experience with dogs. His life had been a pilgrimage through dusty libraries and quiet contemplation. Yet from the moment Tiberius padded into his private quarters, something shifted. The dog sat beside him, placing a paw gently on Leo's knee, and looked into his eyes with the calm of a desert monk.
That night, Pope Leo XIV dreamed he was alone and walking through a crumbling basilica until Tiberius appeared and led him to a hidden door. Behind it was a library filled with manuscripts thought lost to time.
He awoke before dawn and found Tiberius staring out the window at the eastern horizon, tail gently thumping. Pope Leo knelt down and embraced the dog. With this one small gesture, what people are now calling Leo's first, silent sermon, this Pope's character was revealed far more than any church policy or papal decree he could have made.
This is a touching story, but in fact, it is untrue.
The stories about Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis having dogs are mostly a mix of urban legends, misunderstandings, and bits of truth twisted by the internet.
Pope Francis was known for his love of animals, simple lifestyle, and closeness to nature, which has inspired people to imagine he must have a dog. However, Pope Francis never owned a dog, according to all verified Vatican sources. So why are so many variations of this story circulating so quickly?
The myth may stem from his Franciscan-style affinity with animals (named after St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals). Also, having a pope or theologian reflecting on the spiritual role of animals is not far-fetched. Pope Francis, for example, spoke often about animals and creation. In his encyclical Laudato Si’, officially released on May 24, 2015, he called for the care of the Earth and all creatures.
The world longs for stories like this for many reasons right now.
This anecdote affirms that Pope Leo XIV is likely to continue the path that Pope Francis forged. It demonstrates that love is prioritized by the church under his leadership over policy. Popes are shown to be very human in this story. There is also a valuable lesson that dogs, by their very nature, have something to teach everyone about creation.
Even the dog being named Tiberius recalls the most famous bearer of the name, Emperor Tiberius, the second Roman emperor after Augustus, and may be a subtle suggestion of the perceived hierarchy of political and religious power to the people who are telling the stories.
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