Election as Pope Came Unexpectedly for Leo XIV

"I tell you honestly, it never occurred to me that what happened would happen. And once again, I think our God made a really big surprise this time," said Pope Leo XIV in a conversation with a group of Peruvians whom he received at the Vatican on Monday, as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA on Tuesday.

Pope Leo XIV: "One must accept the will of God"

The Pope emphasized that one must "accept the will of God" and recounted the "prophecy" of a nun who had predicted his election as Pope. "One must accept the will of God, place one's life in the hands of the Lord, and say: Here I am, Lord, what you want, I will do. And in this spirit, I am with you today," said the Holy Father. He concluded the audience with a tribute to "the testimony, faith, community, and friendship that Peru can offer the world."

On Tuesday, the Pope unexpectedly visited the Dicastery for Bishops, which he had led since 2023 until his election as Pope, and spoke with the staff. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half, according to the Vatican. U.S. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected on May 8 as the successor to the late Pope Francis. According to media reports, he was not among the closest circle of favorites in the conclave.

(APA/Red)

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