Pope's Selection: Cardinals Share Experiences on the Decision-Making Process in the Papal Election - "Pope Election Highlights: Reminiscing the Best Moment" (or similar)
Melbourne's Cardinal Hails Papal Conclave as a Previous-Lifetime Experience
- by Eugen Epp, Herald
- ⏱️ 3 mins
With four rounds of voting over two days, the cardinals selected Leo XIV as the new Pope. For the young Cardinal Mykola Bychok, a Melbournian native, his first conclave was an unforgettable ride.
The 45-year-old, who has recently joined the College of Cardinals, described the ordeal as "the pinnacle of my life" after a 24-hour communication detox. "Give it a shot, son! Give your phone a break for at least a day - mine was gone for two and a half! It was the silence that truly made it special," he winked.
Goosebumps, Peace, and Prayers
Being the youngest among the cardinals, Bychok not only experienced a unique perspective of the conclave but also shared his take at a press conference in Melbourne. He claimed a strong sense of "serene calm" during the tightly guarded meetings, stating, "What else do you do when you're sequestered in a quiet chamber interspersed with moments of surreal splendor? Pray obviously." Bychok confessed to experiencing goosebumps twice: once upon entering the enchanting Sistine Chapel and another before the announcement of the new pope.
With stringent rules barring contact with the outside world, even Bychok's vicar-general advised journalists to curb their curiosity regarding the election process.
The Election's Mysterious Aftermath
Due to the secrecy surrounding the election, the public may never fully grasp the way the American Robert Prevost was crowned as Leo XIV. Nevertheless, some cardinals have shared insights. Bychok boldly claimed that the selection was a "frankly unexpected surprise even to us cardinals," crediting it to the work of the Holy Spirit. Each cardinal had a brief chat with the newly minted Pontiff, where Bychok expressed his prayers to guide him through his journey.
Before the conclave, the much-talked-about Hollywood movie "Conclave" was causing a stir. However, the real conclave bore little resemblance to the film, as several cardinals highlighted the great unanimity during the proceedings. As Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne told "domradio.de," "After the election, we all cheered heartily! We rejoiced with him wholeheartedly." They also celebrated a simple service following Leo XIV's donning of the papal attire.
Camaraderie and Choices
Cardinal Reinhard Marx echoed the unity among the cardinals, remarking on the consensus to continue Francis' pontificate while acknowledging that no carbon copy of the well-loved Pope was possible. Cardinal Müller described the conclave as "harmonious." Cardinal Kurt Koch shared his surprise at how quickly they reached a consensus.
The cardinals' interactions before the conclave proved to add warmth and familiarity among the ecclesiastical candidates. Cardinal Karl Marx pointed out that these gatherings allowed the cardinals to build rapport, learn more about their peers, and discuss potential candidates like Robert Prevost, who had previously served in Peru and the Vatican for many years. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the United States found these conversations beneficial, as they allowed the cardinals to voice their preferences and gain insights into one another's recommendations.
The Reason Behind the Smoke Delay
British Cardinal Vincent Nichols revealed that the preacher had extended his time during the Mass, thus delaying the start of the voting process, which led to the lack of smoke following the first ballot.
Sources: ABC, "domradio.de", "kath.net", "Tagesschau", "Daily Mail"
- Conclave
- Pope
- Sistine Chapel
- Rome
- Despite the secrecy surrounding the election, some cardinals have shared insights about the mysterious aftermath, such as Cardinal Bychok's claim that the selection of Leo XIV was a "frankly unexpected surprise."
- The cardinals' unique experiences during the conclave, like Cardinal Bychok's goosebumps upon entering the Sistine Chapel and before the announcement of the new pope, are expected to have been deeply personal and spiritual.
- The real-life conclave bore little resemblance to the Hollywood movie "Conclave," with cardinals emphasizing the great unanimity during the proceedings and heartfelt celebrations following Leo XIV's donning of the papal attire.
- The cardinals' interactions before the conclave played a key role in fostering camaraderie, rapport, and discussions about potential candidates like Robert Prevost, who went on to become Leo XIV.
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