 |
| credit: Vatican News |
Habemus Papam! The world witnessed a historic moment on May 8, 2025, when white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out, signaling the election of a new pope. The conclave of cardinals had chosen Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, an American prelate, as the 267th Bishop of Rome, who took the papal name Pope Leo XIV.
His election marks a turning point in Catholic history: not
only because he is the first American pope, but because his life reflects the
increasingly global nature of the Church. His first words were, "Peace be with you
all!" a greeting he explained that echoes the Risen Christ, offering a
message of humble peace and love from God to the world, promoting unity and connection.
When white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel, something in
the world seemed to pause. Even if we were thousands of miles away and only watching
through our TV screens or computer monitors, the moment still felt surprisingly
intimate: as if we were witnessing history unfold in real time.
For me, the election of a pope is more than a change in
leadership. It represents both continuity and renewal. It is a reminder for all of us that the Church
endures not because it resists change, but because it understands how to carry its
identity forward without losing its origins.
Pope Leo XIV brings his unique perspective and hopes, but he also steps
into a role that connects our present to a long, venerated past.
