Testimony of South Africa's Cardinal Elector on Pope Leo XIV's Election

“We weren’t choosing a successor to Pope Francis per se, but a successor to Peter,” the Cardinal said, and explained, “There must be continuity in fidelity to Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Church, and with the pastoral priorities Pope Francis so deeply embodied: mercy, compassion, justice, and peace.”

The Cardinal also spoke about the awareness that was shared among the Cardinal electors on the need to be cautious about what’s said in the media and on social platforms. 

Such platforms, he said, were not to influence the decisions of the Conclave. “A few days before the conclave, I stopped looking at social media altogether. It was becoming disturbing — even slanderous,” the Cardinal further recounted.

In the May 13 interview, Cardinal Brislin recalled the moment of Pope Leo XIV’s first appearance to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.

“I was standing on the balcony when he was presented to the people on the square, not at the same window, it's a different balcony on the right-hand side,” he recounted.

Cardinal Brislin continued, “I don't know if it was realistic, but I just felt that when the people saw him and that lovely smile on his face, they immediately warmed to him.”

For Cardinal Brislin, the new Pontiff embodies the image of the shepherd so longed for in the Church.

“I think he is going to be a warm Pope and a Pope that people can feel that he is their Pope and the Pope for everybody. That he is going to be the pastor, the shepherd that people so much long for,” he said.

Cardinal Brislin expressed confidence in Pope Leo XIV's ability to unite the global Church, pointing to the new Pontiff’s diverse background, pastoral spirit, and connection to both the developed and developing world as key qualities that will define his leadership.

 “I think he's going to be a Pope who brings people together. He's born and bred in the United States, in Chicago, but he's a citizen of Peru, has vast experience of Latin America, and of developing countries, and to me, this is one of the great blessings,” 

He added, “We were so blessed with Pope Francis, who came from a developing country and brought in a different perspective into the church. Now with Pope Leo XIV coming in again with that experience of developing countries, but also the experience of being born and bred in a developed country, I think he's going to be a unifying Pope.”

Cardinal Brislin also shared personal impressions of the new Pontiff’s character, emphasizing his humility and approachability.

“My feeling about him is that he's a very pastoral person… I think that he will be a very compassionate face,” Cardinal Brislin said.

On May 8 evening, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where the 133 Cardinal Electors had been gathering since the previous day for the 2025 Conclave. 

The white smoke signaled that the 133 Cardinal Electors had elected the successor of St. Peter to take over from the late Pope Francis, who passed on on April 21 and was laid to rest on April 26 in his “beloved” Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major as he had explained in his testament.

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When the new Pontiff, who has taken the Papal name Leo XIV appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he addressed the people of God present in person and all those, who were watching around the world, offering his first blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) as the new Roman pontiff.

In his first address as Pope, the 69-year-old American-born member of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA) asked the people of God to help the Church build bridges through dialogue and encounter, working for unity and peace.

The newly elected Pontiff has explained his choice of Papal name, noting that Pope Leo XIII “addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution” with his May 1891 Encyclical Letter on capital and labor, Rerum Novarum.

“In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labor,” Pope Leo XIV said.

Reflecting on Pope Leo XIV’s first words to the world: “Peace be with you”, he said, “That’s no coincidence. We are living in a time of devastating conflict — in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the DRC, and elsewhere. Our new Holy Father is clearly a man who will work tirelessly for peace and justice, in the spirit of Christ.”

On the Pope’s name, the Catholic Church leader said, “Pope Leo XIII was a champion of Catholic social teaching. That legacy continues. Pope Leo XIV is committed to the dignity of every person and to a Church that walks with the vulnerable.”

Reflecting his experience of the Conclave, Cardinal Brislin described the moment as “extraordinarily interesting,” revealing common themes among the Cardinals — especially the desire for continuity.

He explained, “We weren’t choosing a successor to Pope Francis per se, but a successor to Peter. There must be continuity — in fidelity to Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Church, and with the pastoral priorities Pope Francis so deeply embodied: mercy, compassion, justice, and peace.”

“There was a strong awareness among us to be cautious about what’s said in the media and on social platforms. These do not — and should not — influence our decisions. A few days before the conclave, I stopped looking at social media altogether. It was becoming disturbing — even slanderous,” the Cardinal further recounted.

Following the election, each Cardinal came forward to pledge obedience and loyalty, he recounted, and explained, “It was a beautiful moment. The Holy Father greeted each of us personally, smiling with serenity. I believe this calm, humble spirit will mark his pontificate,” Cardinal Brislin said.