(ZENIT News / Rome, May 16, 2025) – Here is Part II of the analysis article with statements by Cardinals, through which we can identify some aspects of what happened at the Conclave and their impressions of the new Pope.
* * *
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales, celebrated on May 11 in the chapel of the Venerable English College in Rome and spoke in the homily about the lack of grandeur and personalism among the Cardinals, as reported by CBCEW: «When we moved from the General Congregations to the Conclave on Tuesday night and entered that sealed space, no phones, no contact with the outside world, what happened there? For me, it became not so much a sealed space as a precious space. It was peaceful. There was no clamour. There was mutual attention. In fact, I was a little sorry when it was over because there was so much more time for creativity and generosity. It suggested that we could all benefit from a day a week without our phones and allow that inner freedom to flourish again.»
Cardinal Nichols emphasized the spirit of brotherhood during the Conclave: «There was no rancor, I tell you, no competition. There were no harsh words, no belittling of one another, no expressions of ambition. There was a shared understanding that the choice, the prize, was a cross, a death to self and a more intense self-sacrifice in service. We all knew this. And we prayed for whoever would receive it.»
On the figure of Pope Leo XIV he commented: «Who was prepared for this with experience and gifts? In whose heart was this vocation written, from its first conception in the mind of God? We chose a son of St. Augustine. I was standing a few feet away when Cardinal Parolin asked Cardinal Prevost the question: «Do you accept?» And with absolute calm, he said: «I accept.» He will show us again and again that the very core of our journey is rooted in our relationship with Christ Jesus, in love, in gratitude and in joy. Without that, all else counts for little.»
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, told the Italian newspaper Avvenire on May 12 that Leo XIV follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis, albeit with «his own style» and «characteristics.» «Pope Leo said, from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, that the Church is open to all. It is a continuation of Francis’ approach (. . . ). No one can claim that Christ died on the cross for all, except for homosexuals. Discrimination is not Christian.» Regarding Fiducia Supplicans, he hypothesized that the new Pope might reinterpret it, but not abolish it. Cardinal Hollerich also said that Leo XIV has some traits in common with Benedict XVI in his approach to the Church. He desires ecclesial «reconciliation,» not through «external elements» such as «choosing whether or not to live in the Apostolic Palace or because of what he wears.»
Cardinal Blaise Cupich, current Archbishop of Chicago, the city where the new Pope was born, told America magazine that Leo XIV «approaches the Church with the same vision as Pope Francis,» that he would «continue the work of Pope Francis,» and that the Electors «wanted someone who would continue the work of Pope Francis.»
He also clarified regarding the Cardinals’ election of Pope Leo: «Not a copy of Pope Francis, because a copy is, by definition, weak and never as good as the original.»
Cardinal Luis José Rueda, Archbishop of Bogota and Primate of Colombia, told RCN News on May 9: «The Conclave was an experience of faith, where the Holy Spirit truly works.»
About Pope Leo XIV, he explained: «We had lunch at the same table. It was his last lunch as Cardinal. He then emphasized «the centrality in his life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.» He also stressed that he is «a missionary man (…), a man on a journey, a man with the People of God, with the five Continents, a man capable of service, a simple man, a man of God.»
And he highlighted a fact that occurred after the Pope’s presentation at the Vatican Lodge: «We, all the Cardinal Electors, were invited to dinner with the Holy Father, at the Casa Santa Marta. Some would tell him that we must work on matters of concern. I spoke to him words that consoled him, that encouraged him (…): You will never be alone.»
Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain, revealed to COPE on May 9 regarding the choice of the new Pope’s name, which is connected to Leo XIII: «John Paul II already said that social justice is an integral part of evangelization and catechesis. We cannot forget this, with so many issues such as peace, social justice, and the family.»
Regarding his personality, he noted: «He is a simple man, very humble, and intellectually well-prepared.» He met him during his time at the Dicastery for Bishops because the Spanish Cardinal was a member of that Congregation of Cardinals, and he recognized his global vision of the world, which was well-known during his time as Superior General of the Augustinians, in addition to his years as Pastor in Chiclayo, Peru.
About the name Leo XIV, he commented: «He is a man with the smell of sheep, with the language of Pope Francis, a prepared, simple man with a virtue that has surprised me: he listens a lot,» because «he speaks, but he takes your opinion into account. A man who listens, dialogues and shares.»
Regarding the development of the Conclave in the Sistine Chapel, he emphasized: «It is about voting for a person who will represent Jesus Christ, who will guide the Church spread throughout all corners of the world, from Papua New Guinea to Johannesburg and Washington… who will respond to all the concerns of human beings on the five Continents, in a moment of confrontation, of insolence, where people are dying of hunger and others are going to the Moon.»
The Spanish Cardinal emphasized a point from the Conclave: «The vote of 133 Cardinals in a queue gives time to pray and reflect.»
Cardinal Fernando Chomali is Archbishop of Santiago, Chile. On May 9, he said to the Chilean television channel T13 about Pope Francis: «He listens a lot and speaks little. He is a profound person, with a spiritual life.» He also said that «he is very cheerful. A Spanish Cardinal told a story at dinner and we all «laughed out loud at the table.»
Cardinal Chomali spoke about that dinner, where he sat at the same table as the Pope: «He was told that the world is falling apart, and the Pope responded: No. The Lord guides History. And I am going to put what I am at the service of others.»
Regarding the Conclave, he said: «It is a miracle that 133 people from so many different parts of the world could agree on something so transcendental.
Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.
