Aleem Maqbool
Religious Editor
Getty Images
Cardinal prevost meeting with Pope Francis (R) in February 2025
The fact that the Conclave ended quickly suggests from the start that a considerable number of voter cardinals felt that Robert Prevast was the best equipment to address the challenges facing the Pope.
It was clear that two words, “continuity” and “unification” continued to come – between the formal meeting of the Cardinals and the informal dinner and coffee, where they had to discuss the type of person they were looking for.
There was an awareness among many that Pope Francis began something very influential through reaching out to those living on the margins of society, those around the Catholic world, and those outside of faith.
He was grateful that his efforts would become voiceless voices and focused on the poor and those whose fate was not in his hands.
But there was also the sense that they had to work to resolve the divisions of different schools of thought within the church hierarchy, and the (sometimes very public) divisions that are often characterized as traditionalist and progressive.
In that context, the name of Robert Prevast began to be spoken of as a serious candidate. As someone who supported Pope Francis behind the scenes, but who could still consider another faction as his own.
However, the cardinal votes were entrusted by the church, taking into account not only what the institutions and Catholics needed, but also what humanity needed during the difficult times of war and division.
Again, Cardiac Prevost, a US-Peruvian dual citizen who, like his Latin American colleagues, was seen as a capable person who could connect different worlds as Pope.
“Bridge Construction”
Pope Francis has been criticized for lacking the capacity to win more allies in the United States on major issues of migration, climate change and inequality due to his disconnect in understanding the most effective ways to communicate his arguments.
For those who believe that the main requirement of the new Pope is the ability to bring about “continuity” and “uniformity,” during his speech on St. Peter’s balcony, Leo XIV gave strong clues as to why the Cardinals chose him.
With his “bridge construction” and his “one” worldwide, he evoked the echo of Pope Francis and spoke of its maximum unity.
During these early days, his past is scrutinized in great numbers. His political views have charted his track record in dealing with abuse and his long-standing comments on social issues.
As much of this is already in the public domain, we can assume that cardinal electors simply felt that they had no sufficient consequences to guide the Catholic Church and undermined the ability to become the global moral voice they were looking for.
The big challenges lie ahead. But with a solution after just four conclave votes, he starts with a strong mandate from the man he needs most through his Pope.
EPA
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