The Germans Study Leo XIV’s 'Body Language'

In an interview with the anti-Catholic Catholic News Agency (KNA), which is owned by the German bishops, Stefan Verra, a body language expert, claimed that Leo XIV is signalling with his body language: 'I am not moving towards you, but you must move towards me.'

Verra also claimed that the Pope's body language reveals an “initial insecurity” when “neuronal congestion energy manifests itself in slight chewing movements of the lower jaw” or “small glances that wander to the left and right”.

This energy is always present when there is more energy in the body than is needed at that moment. "Anyone who is not nervous has not recognised the importance of the office," says Verra.

Verra also analysed how Pope Francis shakes hands. "When two people meet, they unconsciously lean forward a little," he says, "but the Pope doesn't do that. He stands completely upright. This creates a hierarchical relationship.'

'People walk towards him. Vladimir Zelensky also leans forward slightly, but Pope Leo remains standing upright. That creates an asymmetry.'

Verra also notices this difference when the Pope is sitting: 'While Pope Leo sits at the very back of his chair with both arms on the armrests, the President of Ukraine sits at the very front on the edge of his.'

Surprisingly, KNA views this as a positive thing and allows Verra to continue: 'We don't want someone who sits with us like a crony, patting the person next to them on the shoulder [as Pope Francis did]. We want someone who signals: There's someone here to give us direction.'

However, Verra believes that Leo XIV must be careful not to appear disinterested: 'If you shake my hand and come towards me, but I remain completely upright and make no movement towards you, then that is close to arrogance.'

In his meetings with Zelensky and the US Vice President, JD Vance, Leo XIV managed to maintain equidistance. 'I think he does that quite well, not allowing himself to be taken in, even by people as skilful as JD Vance and Zelensky.'

In his diplomatic role, if he wants to be a pope for humanity and not just a specific target group, it is important that he maintains the same distance from all political protagonists.

Verra says that Leo XIV smiles asymmetrically. The right corner of his mouth usually rises slightly more than the left. There could be physical reasons for this, says Verra, since Leo XIV allegedly had an accident as a child and has only been able to laugh in pain ever since.

Whatever the reason, Verra concludes that there is 'something mischievous and conspiratorial about Pope Leo's asymmetrical smile'.

At the end of the audience with media representatives, Leo XIV almost ran down the stairs. 'I believe it is urgently necessary for the Church, and perhaps even all of humanity, to have someone who is both enraptured and dynamic.' But 'it just mustn't become too dynamic.'

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