From WelCom Issue 1 – June 2025
We have been living in a very graced time in the life of the Church. The death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday was so poignant after he had gone to St Peter’s Square the day before. It said so much about him, he wanted to be with his people as they celebrated the resurrection, ignoring his own health limitations. It was a sign of the movement of the Holy Spirit and it was so fitting that the next day his life on this earth came to its completion.
The outpouring of grief and gratitude for Pope Francis from all around the world, including in our own country, spoke of the impact his papacy has had in a fractured world. He was able to speak of things of which others were not able. He challenged ways of thinking and acting, while also showing the compassionate face of Christ. His leadership was what was needed for the life of the Church and our world.
The fascination with the conclave was also surprising. The film ‘Conclave’ had made many aware of the nature of how the conclave operated. But unlike the film this was a time of deep prayer and calling upon the Holy Spirit for guidance. The cardinals’ meetings were reflecting upon the needs of the Church at this time and what would be the characteristics of the next pope in light of this. While many talked of factions, and voting blocs, it was actually about discerning who was being called to be the shepherd of the flock of the Church.
It was therefore with great joy and assurance that after five voting rounds Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged as Pope Leo XIV. Not top of the polls by the experts, not well known by many in the Church, but the one the Holy Spirit had guided the cardinals to choose. His initial days and the way he has conducted himself have shown us that he is a man of faith, a man who understands the enormity of the role he has been called to, but who trusts that God will give him the strength and graces he needs.
Each of us, in the microcosms of our lives of faith, can also draw strength from this. God is at work in ways we so often underestimate. Many people who would never have thought of faith or religion are looking at the Church and wondering. Who will they turn to in order to have their questions answered? What will our responses be? How well do we understand our own Church and what it believes and teaches? What is our own witness of life and faith so as to be able to engage with these people?
The wonderful thing is that it isn’t too late. We can always deepen our life of prayer, our understanding of the Church, our participation in the life of the faith community. So many are looking for the truth that sets them free. We have found it in Jesus Christ, and as we continue this Jubilee year, as pilgrims of hope, this is not just for ourselves but for others. May we make the most of this graced time and allow it to form us as true missionaries of the Gospel.