Cardinal Dolan reveals how future Pope Leo XIV ‘impressed’ him at the conclave — and predicts what kind of pontiff he will be

Accepto.

With this 1 elemental Latin connection – literally, I judge — Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, Chicago native, a leader of nan belief bid known arsenic nan Augustinians, missionary to Peru, Cardinal of nan Roman Catholic Church, and Prefect of nan Dicastery for Bishops of nan Roman curia, ceased to be.

Sitting successful his spot was Pope Leo XIV, Bishop of Rome, Pontiff – span builder – of nan Catholic Church.

Although outwardly he looked nan aforesaid arsenic he had arsenic nan votes were being counted, erstwhile nan magic number of 89 was reached, ensuring his election, each my relative cardinals and I who were gathered successful nan Sistine Chapel looked astatine him differently.

Sede Vacante, nan clip known arsenic “the quiet chair” was over. The Church erstwhile again had a “papa,” a Holy Father. And we, on pinch nan remainder of nan world, rejoiced.

It was a small much than 2 weeks since we had mislaid Pope Francis, and we still mourned his passing. But during nan past 17 days, my relative cardinals and I had been gathering daily, discussing nan strengths of nan Church arsenic we saw it from our perspective, nan challenges we proceed to face, and what benignant of personification we needed to lead us.

During those galore hours of meetings, astatine java breaks, aliases complete luncheon aliases dinner, I was often asked by different cardinals, “Tell maine astir Cardinal Prevost. What benignant of man is he?”

I had to reply that, successful each honesty, I did not cognize him. I knew of him, of course, and what I had heard had impressed maine greatly. A somewhat awkward individual; a bully listener; personification who said respective languages; a leader pinch wide acquisition successful Latin America; a erstwhile leader of his belief order; and, finally, personification who had spent nan past fewer years successful Rome, acquainted pinch nan workings of nan bureaucracy that is nan Roman Curia.

“He runs a bully meeting,” 1 cardinal said. Not a bad compliment, arsenic astir of america do not!

 Another added, “he hears everyone out, but is capable to make a determination erstwhile 1 is needed.”

Still another, “he has a heavy emotion for nan poor.”

I did person nan opportunity to person meal pinch him 1 greeting anterior to nan ballot that elected him Pope. He was unfastened and engaging, and we swapped immoderate stories astir my hometown of Saint Louis, wherever he had lived during his novitiate pinch nan Augustinian order.

I came distant impressed.

Later, successful nan Sistine Chapel, I was seated straight down Cardinal Prevost, and I realized that I had forgotten an important question.

Leaning over, I whispered “Don Roberto” – Italian for “Father Robert,” a accepted greeting for Italian priests, including cardinals – “Cubs aliases White Sox?”

Looking backmost astatine me, he said “I’m a South Sider – White Sox for me.”

As a loyal Saint Louis Cardinals fan, I was very relieved he was not a instrumentality of those dreaded Cubs!

Here successful America, Sunday is Mother’s Day, and I gratefully callback my ain beloved Mom, whom I spot and believe is now successful eden pinch Jesus. As Saint Mother Teresa would often say, Catholics person 3 mothers: our ain earthy mothers, of course, who we emotion deeply; our Heavenly Mother, Mary, who Jesus made our mother from nan Cross; and Holy Mother Church.

It is besides nan 4th Sunday aft Easter, which Catholics observe arsenic “Good Shepherd Sunday,” aft nan 1 existent and eternal shepherd, Jesus.

The Latin connection for shepherd is pastor, and Holy Mother Church rejoices that we erstwhile again person a cosmopolitan pastor present connected world successful Pope Leo, moreover arsenic we believe for a much-needed summation successful vocations to nan priesthood, a taxable that came up often during our regular discussions of nan challenges facing nan Church.

What tin we expect from a Pope Leo papacy? I would ideate that, reasonably soon, we will spot things that punctual america of Pope Francis, things that punctual america of Pope Saint John Paul II, still others that punctual america of Benedict XVI, Paul VI, aliases Saint John XXIII.

But arsenic nan Italian saying goes, “you sewage to make gnocchi pinch nan mixed you got” and I expect that, soon, comparisons pinch popes of nan past will cease, and we will statesman to opportunity “Ah . . . that Pope Leo. I emotion him. We’re truthful fortunate to person him arsenic our Holy Father.”

It’s only been 3 days, but I consciousness that measurement already.