Pope ⁢leo XIV Election Brings hope for Unity, Peace

VATICAN CITY (May 12, 2025, 8:31 p.m. ET) – The⁢ election of Pope Leo XIV has sparked a wave of optimism within ‍the Vatican and among⁣ Catholic leaders worldwide,wiht many expressing hope for a period of stability and ‌reconciliation after years of division.

“He‍ must be ⁢very happy that they have chosen an American,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s ‌secretary ⁤of state, remarked with a smile, according to sources. Parolin, once considered a ⁣frontrunner himself, expressed hope that the Church, “in‌ the times ‍of ⁣the‍ apostles, guided by the Holy spirit,” will live​ “in ​peace.”

The sentiment of hope appears widespread in Rome following Thursday night’s election, though some faithful remain cautiously optimistic.

Cardinal Walter Kasper,President Emeritus of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity,shared his view that Leo XIV is a man of peace and a good listener. speaking near the Tiber River,‌ Kasper, who ⁣at 92 was not eligible to vote in the ‍conclave, characterized the new pontiff as neither overly liberal nor conservative, emphasizing his desire for continuity with Pope Francis. He told reporters⁤ that both qualities are ⁢”very vital.”

Echoing this​ sentiment, Swiss cardinal Kurt Koch, Kasper’s successor at the ⁤Vatican’s ecumenical office, hailed Leo XIV as‍ a “dialog man.” ⁣In remarks‌ near St.Peter’s‍ Square, Koch voiced his confidence that the new‍ Pope​ “will bring harmony” to the Church, also noting the ​positive atmosphere during the conclave.

Cardinal⁢ Louis Raphaël⁣ Sako, the Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad, revealed ​that he had urged‌ Pope Leo‍ XIV to defend persecuted Christians ⁢in the Middle East. Sako, who sat next to Cardinal Robert Prevost during the voting, shared this data.

While ⁤the new Pope’s election has been largely⁤ met with joy, some observers ⁣are adopting a “wait and see” approach, given⁤ the divisions that marked the previous pontificate. The fact that Leo XIV garnered ⁣support from both ⁤progressive and conservative cardinals contributes​ to this cautious outlook.

“I have a lot of‌ hope,” said Fr.‍ Rok Pogančnik, a Slovenian ⁣priest. “what he ⁣has done so far​ seems very good.​ Hopefully ⁢bring the peace that⁣ the church needs so⁣ much. I‌ like not⁣ to seek to be the protagonist,⁤ and it seems that he really believes.”

Conclave Voting Patterns Emerge

As the initial ‌excitement subsides, details of the conclave’s voting patterns are beginning to surface. cardinal‍ Parolin, initially seen as a leading contender ‍with support from those aligned with Pope Francis, reportedly failed to gain broader backing. Other potential candidates, including Cardinals Luis Antonio tagle,⁣ Matteo Zuppi, mario Grech, Pablo Virgilio David, and Jean-Marc Aveline, saw their support ‌divided, particularly among Italian, Asian, and African cardinals.

The ⁤hopes of those backing Cardinals ⁤José Tolentino ⁣de Mendonça and Zuppi, ⁤associated‍ with the Sant’egidio community, also ⁤faded due to insufficient support. ​Meanwhile, votes for “conservative” candidates such as Cardinals Péter Erdő, Robert Sarah, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and⁢ Malcolm Ranjith were spread too thinly for any one of them to gain traction.

Cardinal‌ Prevost emerged as a consensus candidate, gaining‍ momentum from​ the ‍third ballot onward. Sources indicate that cardinal Timothy Dole’s⁤ support was instrumental⁤ in boosting​ Prevost’s⁢ candidacy, allowing him to surpass the required two-thirds majority by the fourth vote.

Contrary to some‌ reports, sources confirm that Cardinal Raymond Burke​ did not lobby for Cardinal Prevost’s ⁢election prior ⁣to the conclave.

Widespread Acceptance and Future Direction

Cardinals across the spectrum, including those ‌who were close to Pope Francis and those who had⁣ been critical, generally expressed satisfaction with the outcome, even if Cardinal Prevost was ‍not their first choice. A common sentiment is that Pope Leo XIV will usher in a period of calm and reconciliation following the divisions that characterized the previous papacy – issues that were ⁢thoroughly discussed in the pre-conclave general congregations.

Sources described⁣ these meetings as collegial ‍and constructive, ‌with “very frank” exchanges regarding⁢ both praise ​and criticism ⁤of the previous pontificate. This contrasts with the more guarded press⁤ releases issued by the Holy See’s press office in ‍the days⁣ leading up to the conclave.

One key⁣ area ‌of discussion was ⁣adherence to Church law, with sources suggesting that Pope Leo XIV, a Doctor of Canon ‍Law, intends​ to restore respect for ⁤canonical norms. This includes ⁢liturgical laws and the role of the dicastery for‌ Divine Worship, ​which is expected to undergo⁢ review. While ⁢it remains uncertain whether Pope Francis’ restrictions on the customary Latin Mass will be part of this initial review, efforts to address these⁣ restrictions ​under Pope Leo are anticipated.

These developments, coupled with Pope Leo XIV’s commitment‌ to listening, ⁣building bridges, and fostering ‍dialogue,​ have instilled a sense of hope and confidence both in Rome and beyond.

“It started well,” Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the former personal secretary to‌ Benedict XVI, told Corriere della‌ Sera. “Now a ⁢new stage begins.I perceive a generalized relief. The‌ time of arbitrary decisions ‍is over.”

The current Apostolic Nuncio in Lithuania added, ​”We can start having a papacy capable of guaranteeing stability ‌and relying on existing structures, without knocking them down ⁣or disturbing them.”