Habemus Papam: We have a (new) Pope! White smoke ascends from the roof of the Sistine Chapel, signalling the election of a new Pope.
This is the first time I witnessed the televised announcement of a new Pope. The 266th successor of St Peter, Pope Leo is the fourth Pope of my lifetime.
The positivity, excitement, different flags, informative commentary (thanks EWTN!) and all the rich tradition on display pulled the right strings in my heart and mind to make this experience a memorable one. I felt properly Catholic, and proud of it.
This was also my first papal blessing, which I learnt is formally granted “to all the faithful present […] by radio, television and the new communications media [like the internet]“
The Pope chose the name Leo XIV, seemingly as a continuation of Leo XIII, who is known for his contributions to the Church’s social teachings around the turn of the 20th century, a period of significant technological and societal transformation. Seems really apt for now too.
It’s clear from his omission of English during his initial blessing (delivered in fluent Italian & Spanish) that he is the Pope of the global Catholic church, not an “American pope”. There’s a lot of wisdom in that.
The Pope’s announcement was greeted with the usual mocking and indifference on Reddit. News media haven’t quite come to a consensus about him. Catholic news media is expressing surprise that an American was elected, and praising his missionary, multilingual, canon law background (all great things TBH) and understated demeanour. I noticed a little tear in the Pope’s eye on the closeup shot.
The occasion was bittersweet, with the Indo-Pak conflict. An IPL match (and subsequently, all IPL matches) was called off just before we tuned into EWTN when we heard about the white smoke.
We are all flowers, some little, some white roses. We all have something to give to this world.
