Cardinals speak about the Conclave. Pope Leo had momentum right from the beginning

 In his election as Pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost received a surprising number of votes in the first round of voting. This was revealed in an interview given by Iraqi Cardinal Raphael Louis Sako to the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" (Wednesday edition). Sako, according to his own account, sat in the Sistine Chapel, in the seat to the right of Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV.

He had not known him before, but in conversation, he experienced him as a "simple, humble, and serene man." Although he had already received many votes in the first round, Prevost remained completely calm. This number then continued to rise in the two following rounds, but it was only at the end that Prevost became visibly moved.

According to other press reports citing conclave participants, Prevost ultimately received well over 100 votes. When the required two-thirds majority was reached in the fourth round, before the counting was completed, the cardinals were already applauding, while Prevost, struggling to maintain composure, remained seated.

Rapid Agreement a Good Omen

Cardinal Kurt Koch's assessment of the conclave was less concrete. He said in an interview with EWTN that he was surprised by how quickly the election took place. The overwhelmingly positive response was a good omen that Leo XIV would succeed in "bringing together different opinions." This was also demonstrated by the fact that the cardinals were able to present such a result within 24 hours. "This is also a sign that consensus exists, and that is a positive sign," Koch said.

The Swiss Cardinal of the Curia described the new Pope as a man of dialogue: "He is someone who strives for consensus and harmony." This does not mean, however, that he lacks a clear stance: "He has a clear standpoint that he does not impose. He wants consensus." With regard to possible expectations, Koch warned against having too high hopes for rapid change. He wondered how long the new momentum would last before some realized "that the Pope is, after all, Catholic" and that not much would change.

Koch expressed concern about the "co-optation" of Pope Leo XIV in Germany. He was pleased that there was gratitude there for the election of the new Pope. "But one still has to listen carefully to whether what the majority of German bishops understand by synodality coincides with what the new Pope understands by it," the Cardinal emphasized. Hierarchy and synodality are "not opposites, but must coexist." There is no synodality without primacy, and no primacy without synodality. "I'm not entirely sure that's the shared view in Germany," he said.

Regarding his own resignation, Koch said it was submitted long before Francis's death. After all, he had allowed him to remain in office. Leo XIV has now done the same. "How he decides next is his freedom. If he decides that I should continue a little longer, I'll accept that gratefully," Koch said.

Peace, Justice, Fraternity

French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline also commented on the conclave in an interview with Vatican News on Tuesday, describing the cardinals' assembly as a "deeply spiritual experience." Despite cultural differences, a new pope was elected with a large majority in just 24 hours. "All cardinals dressed alike, from all parts of the world – this was a joint action of humanity and God. It is a mystery that cannot be fully explained," Aveline said. He added that they felt "led."

The Archbishop of Marseille expressed his conviction that the newly elected Pope Leo XIV was the right choice for the Catholic Church in a time of global upheaval. "I believe that people will gradually discover that he was truly the Pope we needed," he explained. Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was shaped by his experience in North and South America and thus brought with him a deep understanding of both wealthy and disadvantaged regions. "His profile is a perfect synthesis for our age of globalization," Aveline said. He particularly praised the new Pope's social sensitivity: "He knows what poverty means, what injustice means. He knows the price the poor pay for wars waged by others."

In his previous role as Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops, Prevost demonstrated great spiritual foresight, Aveline emphasized. At the same time, he is a man of dialogue: "What I sense in him is wisdom, humility, a sense of listening, and joy in working together." He makes decisions only after careful consideration – but then carries them out with consistency and responsibility.

Aveline also recalled a personal visit by then-Cardinal Prevost to Marseille in September 2023, when he accompanied Pope Francis on a trip. "He could have sent someone. But no – he came himself. He's genuinely interested," Aveline said of the current Pope's commitment to the challenges of the Mediterranean region. Even Leo XIV's first gestures and words as Pope clearly indicated his priorities: peace, justice, and fraternity. Aveline: "What I sense is that the communion of the Church and fraternity in the world are very dear to his heart."

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