Sister Nathalie Becquart was surprised to run into Pope Leo XIV last night at the Palace of the Holy Office, where Cardinal Prevost had been staying for about two months. After his election on May 8, 2025, to the seat of Peter, the new pontiff returned to sleep at his room.
“It's not every day you meet a pope in your building,” said the French nun, who was able to chat with him.
The undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops shared with I.Media her reaction to the election of this pope.
You were surprised to meet Pope Leo XIV in your building yesterday ...
Sister Becquart: It was indeed a big surprise! Cardinal Prevost lives in the Holy Office building, where I have lived since I arrived in Rome. He was my neighbor. So he came to sleep here last night. It's not every day you meet a pope in your building, especially when you know him from before!
We exchanged a few words in English. I congratulated him and told him that I would continue to pray for him and his new ministry. My superior general was also there, and we were able to share with him the joy and prayers of more than 1,000 superiors general of women's religious congregations from around the world, who gathered in Rome on the day of his election.
Leo XIV was superior general of the Order of Saint Augustine. He knows what it's like!
What was your impression of how he was doing?
Sister Becquart: I found him smiling, as calm as ever. He greeted those present and gave his blessings. He is a very humble, discreet, balanced, and serious man. When he moved to the Palazzo two months ago, I saw him arrive one evening with his boxes. When we passed each other, we exchanged a few simple words.
Was his election a surprise to you?
Sister Becquart: Cardinal Prevost was one of the names that kept coming up. But it is still a surprise to discover the gift that God has given to the Church and to the world through the discernment of the cardinals.
For me, the biggest surprise was hearing his name: Leo XIV. I had never thought of that! He is a native of Chicago, a diocese with a strong tradition of commitment to social issues. Cardinal Joseph Louis Bernardin (1928-1996) placed a strong emphasis on these issues, following in the footsteps of Leo XIII. He therefore comes from a diocese that has been shaped by the social teaching of the Church, its commitment to the poorest and its fight against racism.
What was this very special moment like for you?
Sister Becquart: On the afternoon of the election, I was at the general assembly of the superiors general of women's religious congregations. At the end of Mass, we heard that there was white smoke. We turned on the live broadcast and, without knowing who it was, the atmosphere changed to one of incredible jubilation. There were cries of “Hallelujah” and total jubilation. I then went to the terrace of the Palace of the Holy Office to witness the Pope's first blessing.
Have you had the opportunity to work with him?
Sister Becquart: We met during the Synod on Synodality. Cardinal Prevost participated in both sessions, in October 2023 and 2024. He was part of the working groups on the role of bishops and the processes and criteria for their appointment. In Latin America, he was in a diocese with few priests, so he had experience working with lay people and having women in positions of responsibility.
Why do you think the cardinals elected him so quickly?
Sister Becquart: They did indeed reach a consensus quickly. I think he is a man of synthesis. He is in line with the pontificate of Pope Francis. He mentioned this in his speech. He also spoke about the synodal Church. I believe that his very rich experience must have played a role. Being a missionary, superior general for 12 years and therefore having traveled all over the world, having been bishop in Peru, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, speaking English, Spanish, Italian, a little French... These are many qualities!
As an Augustinian religious, he must also have at heart the dimension of unity and communion, two very important elements in the Rule of St. Augustine.
Is electing a pope who grew up in the United States a bold move on the part of the College of Cardinals?
Sister Becquart: I think it's a sign. Cardinal Prevost has lived outside the United States for a long time. He is an American with a vision that goes far beyond his country of origin. And then I think that in a conclave, what we are looking for above all is a personality, not a nationality.
