‘Please don’t let us down’

Belturbet man in Rome to witness selection of new Pope

A Belturbet man in Rome to witness the election of Pope Leo XIV says it was an “incredible, inspiring, once in a lifetime” opportunity to be in the presence of history being made.

Gavin Brady from Gannon’s Cross was travelling through the Baltic States with friends when he cut short his stay in Tallinn to instead make his way to the Italian Capital and the Vatican City, arriving just after the cardinals first entered conclave at the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.

He did so on the advice of others, who encouraged him to attend regardless of the logistics, to join the tens of the thousands of others who followed a similar pilgrim path.

The “excitement” was palpable. “There was an energy. Nervous maybe because of the waiting, wondering who might next become Pope, but excitement too,” says Gavin.

With a plume of black smoke spiralling over the crowds thronging St Peter’s Square on day one, confirming the first ballot ended without a majority outcome, Gavin took the opportunity to visit the tomb of the late Pope Francis.

He recognises the Argentine, as many have done, for the progressive influence brought to bear in leading the global catholic church.

Gavin recalls having had an opportunity to be in the presence of the former Holy Father, describing him as a “powerful voice” on a range of issues predecessors may otherwise have shied away from.

“He was very impressive in that respect, and I feel his legacy will be remembered.”

The 133 cardinals, sequestered in the Santa Marta guesthouse, started day two with a private dawn mass early, perhaps seeking divine inspiration.

But black smoke again appeared around noon on Thursday, and the wait for the new pontiff continued.

Speculation was rife. Gavin says few he spoke to many, ranging from other Irish to Sudanese nuns, and their feeling was the frontrunners were Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, a close confidante of Pope Francis, and Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary, a known conservative.

Gavin rented a bike, and was pulled up chatting with a Polish priest, when there was a frenzy of movement, with almost everyone reaching for their phones. Soon after the bells of the basilica began to ring. After a midday lunch, and on the fourth attempt, the most geographically diverse College of Cardinals in the church’s 2,000-year history voted American Cardinal Robert Prevost to be the next Pope, securing 105 of the 133 votes.

“White smoke,” says Gavin who had little choice but to move with the crowd, which swelled with each passing side street before spilling through tight security and into the expanse of St Peter’s Square.

As a young Catholic, Gavin explains that being a person of faith in this day and age can often be open to derision. He hopes the new pope, who has taken the name Leo XIV, will inspire new generations to carry the flame of Christianity, and not cow down to any secular pressures for the Church to apologise for being a positive and defining influence in people’s lives.

“It can be hard at times to be a young person of faith. We want continuity and a pope who can inspire. I’d hope he can take the Church forward as Pope Francis did. From what I’ve read, I believe he can. Don’t let us down.”

Another local man in Rome who experienced Pope Leo’s elevation is Monsignor Enda Murphy, a priest attached to the Diocese of Kilmore, and a Domestic Chaplain to Pope Francis.

He speaks to the Celt from St Peter’s Square, and says the atmosphere in the city with the cardinals arriving pre-conclave was one of “anticipation”. Days after, it’s a different kind of anticipation now, one more focused on how Pope Leo will lead the church during his papal tenure.

Mons Murphy has been in Italy 10 years now working within the Roman Curia. A new picture will now go up in his office and the letterheads will alter accordingly.

But he too is imbued with a sense of hope, reflecting on how Pope Benedict XXVI spoke of “reform through continuity with what went before”.

He added: “Pope Francis carried that on in his own way and I believe Pope Leo, from what he has said, is reproposing to do the same. He’ll have his own style. Pope Francis was one in a million in how he spoke through gestures and actions. With Pope Leo, what I was struck by when he came out on the ledge was the sense of tranquillity about him.”

Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes meanwhile welcomed the Chicago-born Pope Leo’s appointment by saying: “Thanks be to God, the Holy Spirit continues to surprise, challenge and inspire us to live the Gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.”