Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the 79-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, recently shared insights into the secretive papal conclave that led to the election of Pope Leo XIV.
As one of the 133 cardinals participating, Nichols described how the entire process unfolded, noting how every step was “meticulously followed.”
Pope Leo’s Calm Acceptance
One of the most striking moments from the conclave came when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo, was asked if he accepted his role as the new leader of the Catholic Church.
According to Cardinal Nichols, the moment was marked by a surprising calmness.
“He took it very matter of factly, there was no real emotion. He took it all in his stride,” Nichols recalled.
Although the occasion was undoubtedly historic, Pope Leo accepted the mantle with a composed demeanor.
Nichols, who was just a few feet away, shared that there was a noticeable sense of elation in the room, but the Pope remained calm.
A Historical Comparison: Pope Leo and Tyrants
In a fascinating comparison to historical figures, Cardinal Nichols suggested that Pope Leo would not be intimidated by tyrants, referencing a legendary act of courage by Pope Leo I in 452 AD.
“In 452 AD, Leo turned back Attila the Hun on the edge of the city of Rome, so he won’t be afraid of tyrants,” Nichols stated.
When asked if he was hinting at any contemporary political figures, including former President Donald Trump, Nichols smiled and responded, “You might hear that, I didn’t say it.”
A Conclave of Patience and Fraternity
The conclave wasn’t without its moments of delay.
Cardinal Nichols humorously pointed out that the black smoke, which indicated no pope had been elected after the first vote, was delayed by over two hours.
The reason? Father Raniero Cantalamessa’s sermon ran well over the planned time, keeping the 45,000-strong crowd waiting.
Nichols noted that while the sermon was thought to last no more than half an hour, it stretched on for much longer.
“Patience is a good virtue, and it can’t be easily demonstrated unless you are doing it,” he joked.
Despite the delays, Nichols described the conclave as an experience of deep spiritual connection.
“There was a remarkable sense of fraternity, with people from all over the world,” he shared.
The absence of mobile phones created an atmosphere of focus, and every step of the process was followed with patience and care.
As a first-time participant in the conclave, Nichols was moved by the dedication of his fellow cardinals, noting that it was a “time of great patience” and careful deliberation.
Pope Leo: A Rapid Decision
When the votes were finally cast, the decision was made quickly—just four votes to elect Pope Leo.
Cardinal Nichols attributed this swift outcome to the fact that Pope Francis had left behind a College of Cardinals that shared his vision of a “missionary church.”
He remarked, “It was pretty clear that here was a man bringing the right depth to the church and experience.”
Nichols reflected on his own emotional journey throughout the process, admitting that he was reluctant to leave the conclave once the decision had been made.
“It was such a spiritual experience in there, and I will treasure it deeply,” he said.
His praise for Pope Leo’s leadership was clear, describing him as “calm, clear in his mind, decisive” and someone who could resolve conflicts without leaving enemies behind.
A Moment of Ecstasy for Cardinal Nichols
Amidst the intense atmosphere of the conclave, Cardinal Nichols had his own moment of personal joy: the Liverpool Football Club’s Premier League victory.
When asked about his reaction to the win, he said with a smile, “That was just as ecstatic.”
A Family Tradition: Preparing for the Conclave
In an unexpected twist, it was revealed that Pope Leo’s brother, John, played a unique role in preparing the new pontiff for the conclave.
Just before the voting began, the two brothers shared a moment of relaxation by playing Wordle and Words With Friends.
“First we do Wordle, because this is a regular thing,” John explained with a laugh.
“It’s something to keep his mind off life in the real world.”
John also revealed that his brother had watched the movie Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, to understand the inner workings of the papal election.
“I said, ‘Did you watch Conclave?’ And he had just finished watching the movie, so he knew how to behave,” John recalled.
The movie, based on the novel by Robert Harris, focuses on the drama and intrigue surrounding the election of a new pope, and it appears that Pope Leo may have taken a few cues from Fiennes’ portrayal of the process.
Looking Ahead to Pope Leo’s Inaugural Mass
As the world now looks toward Pope Leo’s inaugural mass, scheduled for May 18, the church prepares for a new chapter under his leadership.
The journey from the secretive conclave to the public announcement is complete, and Pope Leo XIV is ready to step into his role, guided by both tradition and a forward-thinking vision.
What’s next for the Catholic Church under his guidance? Time will tell as Pope Leo embarks on this monumental journey.