My husband and I enjoy eating lunch in our sunroom looking out over the back yard and watching deer stroll by. We also enjoy watching squirrels darting around like the yard is a playground for them especially, and watching the stray cat we feed, but can’t get close to yet, coming for another regular meal. Today I was setting the table out there for lunch and my husband was watching a news channel inside in the kitchen. He said in a loud voice, “The smoke is white,” so I went inside just in time to see a whisp of that white smoke at the Vatican indicating a new Pope had been chosen.
The crowd waiting in anticipation of the new pope was estimated to be at least 45 thousand. When the newly chosen pope, Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony for his first blessing in his new position, the crowd cheered and clapped; smiling faces showing love, appreciation and acceptance of the United States, Chicago-born previous Cardinal, Robert Prevost – the very first American pope.
The most notable thing to me about the crowd was the number of flags held high or simply being held among so many of different nationalities … flags from numbers of countries, including the American flag. When I saw it carrying a message of hope and unity, I immediately broke down. It was such a beautiful symbol, at that moment, representing something so positive, hopeful and buoyed on the energy of love and not just the breeze. It has been a VERY long time since I’ve seen it displayed that way.
Pope Leo stood on the balcony for a little while and looked out over the cheering crowd. When he began his blessing, he opened his arms as if to embrace not only the crowd, but the world. He spoke in perfect Italian (I understand he also speaks perfectly in Spanish).
His message included respect for his recently deceased predecessor, Pope Francis and blessings for all. He encouraged the people of the world to open their hearts to others and to be kind, among other things. Those two sentiments touched me once again and brought on a second wash of tears. We have seen so little of welcome and kindness … welcoming kindness … lately that hearing his words were to me like opening a door and inviting spring back in after a very brutal winter.
I am not Catholic but I have, since childhood, had enormous respect for the several popes that have been in office (is that the right way to say that … in office?) since I’ve been a visitor in this life. The most recent of them have seemed very close to God in their beliefs and guidance. I believe Pope Leo, according to his bio and his message this early afternoon, will continue in that direction.
My hope is that this pope, the first from the United Stated of America, was selected for his position not only by the Cardinals who had the task of selecting him, but by divine intervention … perhaps as a way of balancing all that is wrong with this country. A source of good and right and love and acceptance. When I envision that possibility, I tear up again.
May God bless Pope Leo XIV as he steps forward in his new mission. And may God bless us all as we move forward in an uncertain world.
In nursing school I learned that even in the darkest days HOPE is that random element that shows us light at the end of the tunnel and gives us the push we need to keep on keeping on.
Today I felt a renewed HOPE when Pope Leo opened his arms and invited us ALL in.
heimdalco 