The election of Pope Leo XIV as seen by a priest living in Rome

By Father Jim Baron

PHOTO: Seminarians studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome pray the rosary while waiting for the American cardinals who participated in the conclave to return after the election of Pope Leo XIV. (Photo courtesy of the Pontifical North American College)  

God is at work. Sometimes this it is clearer than at other times. These weeks of the Easter Season, within the Jubilee Year of Hope, he has been working through an incredibly rare event in the life of the Church: the death of a pope and the election of his successor. Living and working in Rome, very close to the action, has been the experience of a lifetime and a testimony of grace, which is always difficult to describe. But it’s worth trying.

I have been living and working at the American seminary in Rome, the Pontifical North American College, for two years. Over Easter week I traveled to an abbey in Austria for a week of research, prayer, and rest. While celebrating Mass on Easter Monday, the bells of the abbey started to toll. Thinking that this was something routine, I did not pay it much attention. It was a shock to hear, upon returning to the sacristy, that Pope Francis had just passed. I spent most of the day praying with this news. The death of a pope is always a cause of grief because the flock is without its earthly shepherd. Just one day into my trip, I decided to stay in Austria for the week instead of going back to the chaos of Rome. This meant I would not be at his funeral that Saturday. But through Mass and personal prayer I felt I was supporting the Church through this unusual and difficult time. I returned to Rome on the Sunday of Divine Mercy and made a pilgrimage that day to the Tomb of St. Peter to pray for our late Holy Father.

In the days following, there was a subtle but potent shift in energy from mourning to excitement as preparations began for the conclave. If a cardinal was not already in town for the funeral, he came to Rome in short time. Most of the American cardinals lived at our seminary until the time they would move into the Domus Santa Marta for the conclave. (Pope Leo, then Cardinal Prevost, did not stay at our seminary since he was already living in Rome.) Although daily life continued as best as possible around the seminary, everything felt different. And how could it not? The seminarians got to see the Church up-close as they interacted with a number of cardinals, bishops, pilgrim groups, and media personalities. Daily Mass, academic life, pastoral formation, and community life all were charged with excitement. This was a new experience for each of our seminarians. Only a few of the priest-faculty had been present for the election of Pope Francis, even fewer for the election of Pope Benedict XVI, and only two for the elections of Pope John Paul I and John Paul II. A conclave is a rare occurrence, and they say it feels new each time. 

On Tuesday, May 6, the whole seminary came together to see the cardinals off as they entered the conclave to elect a new Holy Father. From that day on, we were on the lookout for the famous “white smoke” from the temporary chimney on the Sistine Chapel roof. After each vote the cardinals burn the ballots to tell the outside world what is happening. Black smoke signals “no pope.” White smoke signals “yes, pope.” (That is the only way the cardinals communicate with the outside world — no phones, letters, computers, telegraphs, carrier pigeons, etc.)

As expected, the first few votes resulted in black smoke. But each time meant we were that much closer to a having a new pope. As Thursday afternoon arrived, only a few thought we would see white smoke that day. I was not one of those people. So, I stayed behind in the seminary and did not go to St. Peter’s Square. Imagine my surprise when, shortly after, I saw a bishop and his secretary running towards St. Peter’s . . . because he saw the white smoke! The bells of St. Peter’s basilica started ringing. The atmosphere of Rome was electric. Like runlets of a stream gathering to a great river, people came from all over the seminary, the neighborhood, the city towards the Square. We were of the same mind: get to the piazza, get through the security line, then find a place with the crowd and do not take your eyes off the central balcony. And  wait to see who steps out. 

Almost an hour passed before it was announced “Habemus Papam!” We have a pope! The crowd went wild. Even before we knew who it was, there was a jolt of joy and relief that the See of St. Peter was no longer vacant. We had a Papa again. But who? Where I was standing, it was difficult to hear what the speaker was saying — I made out a word here, another there. Then, in a thick accent, we heard him say “Prevost!” The Italians all around me immediately reacted, “He is an American!” “Oh, great, now they run everything!” “Can he even speak Italian?” They were not immediately sold. But then, sure enough, they all fell silent as they listened to the newly-elected pope speaking in beautiful Italian, proclaiming the Risen Christ, expressing his desire for peace, and leading us together in praying the Hail Mary. Not a bad way to start, the Italians in my section all agreed. 

There was a big celebration at the seminary that night. Hearts were full of gratitude for Pope Leo, for the conclave, the cardinal electors, the Church, for the whole experience. This joy spilled over to his first Sunday Angelus address just a few days later. There were twice as many people present this time. People wanted to see the new Holy Father. That weekend there were also dozens of musicians present for the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment. Just imagine thousands of Italians all dancing to a marching band playing Europe’s “The Final Countdown.” As I said, it is difficult to describe. 

Then, just one week later, we attended Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass on Sunday, May 18. Our seminarians, deacons, and priests were all involved in this extraordinary liturgy. One of our student-deacons chanted the Gospel (wow!). Once again, St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding area was packed with people — not just tourists, but pilgrims. Even with over 200,000 people in attendance, there was a prayerful spirit and moments of recollected silence throughout the Mass. We had been praying for our new Holy Father. This was a chance for all of us to pray with him. And, truly, it felt like everyone was there — official and unofficial representatives from all over the world, including leaders political and religious — absolutely incredible.

Finally, it came time for the cardinals to return to their dioceses, the guests to go back home, and the seminary to return to “normal.” Now, we can see the real work ahead of us. Pope Leo has spoken about the disarming peace of the Risen Christ and the life-giving unity willed by Jesus. He already seems to be defying our traditional “left/right” paradigm and simply speaking the logic of the Gospel. Rather than engaging the worldly narrative that tends to be both suspicious and divisive, Pope Leo is repeating Christ’s words on the day of his Resurrection, “Peace be with you.” Jesus does not act with vengeance or spite towards anyone. It makes sense for his Vicar will imitate him. The Pope’s invitation to “Come closer to Jesus” is an opportunity to allow Christ to bring healing and renewal to each member of the Church and the world — a fresh start. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, believe that Lord Jesus does in fact bring healing and new life, freeing us from prisons of resentment, self-pity, and suspicion. This is the mission of Christ and it is the mission of the Church.

Just a final word: When people try to figure out who the new pope is, the best thing we can do is let him speak for himself. Instead of listening to internet personalities who want to put him into one camp or another (left or right, progressive or traditional) please take the time to watch his homilies and read what he says for yourself. If living in Rome teaches anything, it is that everyone in the Church is a human being who risks being misunderstood or misrepresented — especially by media companies (even the ones we like)! 

The first days of any pontificate are exciting. Because Pope Leo will likely be around for a long time, and the world is changing at such a fast pace, he will be the one to lead us through so much that is presently unknown. Yet, it truly seems like he is the man for the job. Viva il Papa! 

(Father Jim Baron is Coordinator of Intellectual Formation and Academic Dean and Formation Advisor at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. A priest of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, he previously served as pastor of Holy Apostles Parish and as Director of Mission and Strategic Planning for the diocese.)