Three Lessons I Learned from the Election of Pope Leo XIV

Mumbai, 9th May 2025: “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a Pope!”) These ancient words echoed through the night sky on 8 May 2025, resounding from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to every corner of the Catholic world. As the new Pope, Leo XIV, emerged and greeted the faithful, a moment of history unfolded before our eyes. Reflecting on the events that led to this election, I have gleaned three enduring lessons that extend beyond the conclave – lessons about divine providence, human limitations, and the mystery of God’s working. 

1. God’s Plan Surpasses Human Calculations

Following the passing of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025, the world turned its collective gaze toward Rome. The question, “Who will be the next Pope?” was on every lip. The media buzzed with speculation. Analysts scrutinized the biographies of likely candidates. Some faithful, driven by devotion and hope, went so far as to create mock-up images of favoured Cardinals as future Popes. Campaigns, both subtle and vocal, were mounted – each with a narrative, a strategy, a forecast.

And then came the divine surprise: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. Not on most lists. Not in media discussions. An American-born bishop turned Peruvian shepherd, with only two years in the College of Cardinals. Yet, he was God’s chosen instrument.

This brings to life Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” We often overestimate the power of human strategies and underestimate divine wisdom. The Holy Spirit cannot be boxed in by polls, predictions, or popularity. God moves in silence, and His plans are always greater than ours.

2. God’s Eccentric Choices are Often the Most Powerful

History has shown that God doesn’t always choose the obvious. Think of David the shepherd boy, Mary of Nazareth, or the tax collector Matthew. Similarly, while many anticipated a Pope from Europe or Asia due to demographics or prominence, God chose Cardinal Prevost. His name rarely surfaced in predictions, and yet the conclave discerned that he was the one to lead the Church into a new chapter.

This eccentric choice reflects a deep theological truth: God sees what we cannot. He calls not based on worldly stature, but on readiness of heart, hidden faithfulness, and interior freedom. Pope Leo XIV’s life embodies missionary zeal, humility, and pastoral closeness – qualities our fractured world desperately needs.

3. The Holy Spirit Still Leads the Church

In a cynical age, it is tempting to believe that religious institutions are run solely by politics and influence. The conclave, however, is a profound reminder that the Church, despite her human frailties and shortcomings is led by the Spirit of God. The Cardinals, in prayer and discernment, placed themselves at the service of that Spirit, not their personal ambitions or national interests.

This election rekindles our faith in divine guidance. It reminds us that the Church is not a corporation or parliament; it is a living Body, animated by grace and the breath of the Spirit. Trusting this gives us courage for the journey ahead

As I look back on that unforgettable night of 8 May, I realize the Holy Spirit not only gave us a Pope – He gave us a message. A message of humility over ambition, mission over status, faith over prediction. In Pope Leo XIV, the Church has not just a new leader but a living sign of God’s mysterious and marvellous ways! 

– Fr (Dr) Sajith Cyriac, SSP

Society of St Paul

Mumbai