What a day! What a week. I don’t remember being this involved the last time a Pope was chosen. The process has not changed and is very ‘old world’, but it works. That’s the key. Today, as I watched live from my living room, people from different backgrounds, different nationalities, speaking different languages all were waiting for the announcement and proclamation. Such joy in the air in St. Peter’s square and around the world today.
We Catholics love signs and symbols. After the fact, it seems that there were many pointing in this direction. An Augustinian cardinal elected on a special feast day? Hmm….is that a coincidence? There were baby seagulls on the roof when the white smoke appeared. A sign of Jesus telling Peter to “feed my sheep” I heard a commentator say. Is it a sign?
Hindsight is 20/20, so I’m sure we will hear of many signs now, but it was clear to me as I watched the brand new Pope Leo XIV give his first address and blessing to the crowd, that he was moved by the enormity of his new role. He has no one to call for advice. No one who has “been there” to offer comfort and advice. What he does have in the process is the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
What a beautiful witness to the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. It’s our internal guidance system, the voice of God in our hearts and minds that has been working behind the scenes and setting the stage for our new church leader. Can you imagine if we all approached decisions in our lives with the sincerity and prayerfulness of the Cardinals.
The other beautiful thing about today is that it is a day celebrating peace. May 8th is Armistice day, celebrating the end of World War II. It’s a day celebrating peace in the world. The Pope promotes peace. What a wonderful testament to world peace today. My heart is happy.
