What Pope Leo Can Teach Liberals About Power The pontiff just excommunicated a reactionary splinter group committed to undermining the church. (Fabrice Coffrini / Getty)Pope Leo XIV was already in a tough spot when he acceded to the highest office of the Catholic Church just over a year ago. He answered decisively with a recent surprise move that political leaders contending with growing reactionary movements could stand to learn from. Dignified, middle-of-the-road Leo responded by unilaterally excommunicating not only the leaders but potentially adherents of the order. Leo shocked observers by declaring that the society had not just committed a schismatic act but was now itself fully schismatic from the church.