Habemus Papam
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May 17, 2025More than a week ago, the Catholic Church around the globe rejoiced when the white smoke was seen coming out from the chimney in the Sistine Chapel and the words “Habemus Papam!” was announced. The election of our new Pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, came as a surprise to many, relatively not as popular perhaps as the other Cardinals whose names have been on many write ups ahead of the conclave and of course, the first American-born Pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Just a few minutes after his proclamation, articles, videos and pictures of him were flooding the internet, quoting his words and reflections. One of which was his interview in 2012 by the Catholic News Service when he was still the Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine.
He was asked this question, “How can the Church attract people and draw them in to an experience of faith?” He said, “The Church has recognized after the experience of the past 50 years that we should not be trying to create spectacle… just to make people interested in something which in the end is very superficial and not profound, not meaningful in their lives. Liturgy (for instance) should be about what faith should be… coming in contact with the mystery of God who is love, God who dwells within us, God who is indeed present in humanity and who was revealed to us through Jesus Christ…” An experience of God’s love through the community can definitely attract people to come and embrace the faith. The liturgical activities which we participate should be an experience of love and belongingness in which it brings us to a more intimate experience of the presence of God.
Pope Leo XIV mentioned during his address. “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive, like this square, with open arms. Everyone who needs our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.” This makes the Church the body of Christ. This is part of the invitation of Jesus to his disciples in our Gospel on this 5th Sunday of Easter and we are all invited to do the same. “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Our love for one another defines our being his disciples and that same love attracts people to embrace more deeply the faith. Loving is not only an action verb but becomes a way of living. It has the power to transform one’s life and relationship with God and with one another.