POPE LEO XIV
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Just hours after the election of Leo XIV, Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers, shares why the College of Cardinals so quickly chose Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the Successor of Peter.
How do you feel just a few hours after the election of Leo XIV?
Cardinal Vesco: We have a good pope, a very good pope! I am extremely happy, as is the entire College of Cardinals. There was immense unanimity, an immense sense of joy. The entire college is behind him. Onward!
The conclave was quick…
Cardinal Vesco: Quicker than you can imagine! I had no doubt, but it’s true that the Holy Spirit was at work. During the general congregations, there was room for differences, but unity quickly followed. We reached a consensus. It wasn’t a given from the start, but I could feel the pieces falling into place, even without many words exchanged. Today, I can confidently say, just like a baker says of good bread, that we have a good pope!
What are the qualities of Leo XIV?
Cardinal Vesco: He is a man with a colossal amount of experience. He joined the Order of St. Augustine at just 17. He’s lived a communal life, served twice as superior general, and taken on challenging missions. He’s been asked to do it all — formation, missionary work in Peru, administrative oversight in struggling dioceses, and leadership at the Roman Curia as the head of the Dicastery for Bishops.
Those who know him speak highly of him. He’s the kind of person who can make decisions, but always in collaboration with others. That, I believe, is his defining strength — he knows how to work in a team.
What was the atmosphere like in the Sistine Chapel when Cardinal Prevost reached the two-thirds majority?
Cardinal Vesco: It was a moment of manifest joy, deeply emotional. There was no hesitation, just profound happiness among all the cardinals. It happened very quickly — it could have even ended sooner!
Did you know him beforehand?
Cardinal Vesco: No, I didn’t. I met him during the general congregations. I arrived with one candidate in mind, but quickly opened myself to the possibility of others as I searched for the best fit for the Church.
Leo XIV is the first pope from the United States. Did his nationality play a role in the discussions?
Cardinal Vesco: I can’t speak for everyone, but not for me. He’s someone who has lived in South America, served in Peru, and led a global religious order. Once you become a superior general, you no longer belong to a single nation but to the whole world.
What did you think of his first speech from the Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica?
Cardinal Vesco: I didn’t catch all of it because I was nearby, but I know he spoke about peace and granted a plenary indulgence. He also quoted St. Augustine: “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop.” Beautiful!
Did you have dinner with him afterward?
Cardinal Vesco: Yes, we all dined together. It was simple, joyful, and lighthearted. He’s a simple man, and that is truly beautiful.
Did the choice of the name Leo surprise you?
Yes, quite a bit! It’s not a common choice, especially after the striking simplicity of “Francis.” But when I heard the crowd in St. Peter’s Square shouting, “Leone! Leone!” it felt right.
For a Christian, is it a moving experience to participate in a conclave?
Cardinal Vesco: It was a profoundly peaceful and beautiful experience. The first day felt like a retreat, a time for prayer and reflection. By the second day, we already sensed that we had found the right man — a humble, gentle, and serene leader.
From the balconies of St. Peter’s, I watched the people of Rome fill the square, waiting to welcome a man they didn’t even know yet. That, to me, is the Church.
