Conclave Experience
By Lori Dueck, Victoria, BC
Volume 40 Issue 4, 5 & 6 | Posted: July 26, 2025
I arrived at my editor’s house just in time to see the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney in Vatican City on his TV screen. At the same time a family of seagulls were celebrating a new baby on the rooftop. The beauty of the sun’s rays lit the Cathedral with the Holy Spirit’s glow. What a perfect setting for my first Conclave experience. History was being made in several subjects on this Jubilee year.
Pope Francis had spent many hours caring for the marginalized, poor, serving and washing feet, visiting the prisoners. He lived a life with the people not above them.
Since it was so recently after the death of Pope Francis there were many heart felt prayers and memories amongst the excitement.
As we waited for the revealing of the new pope, I wondered what name would be chosen.
I was pleased with the name Pope Leo the 14th as Pope Leo the 13th stood for social justice. The new Pope, American but a Peru citizen of many years, was a hand picked cardinal by Pope Francis. He offered kind words for Pope Francis before his beautiful blessings for all people. He spoke about building bridges of unity and peace with each other.
I feel hope with the new pope going forward during the challenges that we are facing in the world today and in the future.
By Lori Dueck, Victoria, BC