The election on Thursday, 8th May, of the American/Peruvian Cardinal, Robert Francis Prevost, as  the 267th Roman Pontiff, was a moment of indescribable joy for Catholics worldwide.

Pope Leo XIV, as he will now be known, was not thought to be a frontrunner, so the announcement of his election came as a huge surprise to the many thousands waiting in St Peter’s Square, and to the many millions who were glued to their TV and computer screens as this remarkable event unfolded. 

It felt as if everyone immediately took him to their hearts as he made his first public appearance as our new Holy Father. The close up camera shots showed how overwhelmed and emotional he was as he waved to the crowds and gave them his first blessing, but my immediate thought was “He looks every inch a Pope. We are in safe hands.” I sense there are many within the Church, and also outside it, who feel the same. We have been blessed with an ardent but gentle Servant of the Gospel.

As we now eagerly anticipate his Mass of Installation on Sunday, 18th May, and unite ourselves with him in prayer, it is worth reflecting upon the words he spoke to the College of Cardinals at Mass in the Sistine Chapel, the day after his election. Referring to his new role as Pontiff, he said:

“You have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission, and I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community, as friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the Good News, to announce the Gospel.”

He was speaking, of course, not only to the Cardinals, but to the whole Church, and he deserves the unwavering support of every Catholic upon the planet as his Petrine ministry now begins.

God bless you, Holy Father, and thank you for so courageously accepting the awesome responsibility which now rests upon your shoulders.