Africa-Press – Ghana. The Reverend Father Michael Quaicoe, Director of Governance, Justice and Peace, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Friday described the election of the American Pope Leo XIV as a sign of the Church’s growing awareness of God’s gift across the globe.
He said the selection of the new pontiff was a result of divine guidance and the deep spiritual discernment of the College of Cardinals, rather than geopolitical influence.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Rev. Fr. Quaicoe explained that the decision by the Cardinals to elect Pope Leo XIV reflected their openness to God’s will.
“It is important to make the distinction between being conditioned by the dynamics of geopolitics and being aware of the way the world works in electing a Pope,” he stated.
“I am sure that during the general congregations, when the Cardinals presented their own perspectives of how the Church should be a powerful voice of God’s presence, a vision of who should lead the Church at this time gradually formed in their minds and hearts.”
Rev. Fr Quaicoo noted that while the Cardinals were aware of global political realities, their foremost concern was to seek and follow the will of God.
“We must not allow ourselves to think that the Cardinals who meet in conclave are conditioned by the realities of geopolitics. They understand it, but their decisions are primarily spiritual,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV, born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday, May 8, following the traditional signal of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney that announced the election of a new Pope.
The 69-year-old Chicago-born Augustinian missionary, who spent much of his ministry in Peru, succeeds Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.
He wore the traditional red mozzetta cape, a departure from the simplicity of Pope Francis’ first appearance in 2013, signaling what some observers see as a return to certain traditions of the papacy.
Pope Leo XIV was elevated to cardinal in 2023 by Pope Francis and was serving as the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential offices in the Vatican, prior to his election.
In that role, he oversaw the nomination of new bishops and presided over key reforms, including Pope Francis’ groundbreaking move to include women in the bishop selection process.
Though previously reserved in public comments on contentious issues, Pope Leo XIV is known to share Pope Francis’ priorities on environmental stewardship and care for the poor and migrants.
He is expected to deliver his first Sunday Angelus blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica and hold an audience with the media on Monday at the Vatican auditorium.
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