Pope Leo on his election: 'Here we go Lord, you're in charge, you lead the way'

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Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo was accompanied by 81 journalists on his return flight to Rome from his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon on Tuesday. In a wide-ranging press conference he began by greeting everyone and thanking all them for their hard work reporting on the trip.

Speaking in English, Italian and Spanish the Holy Father reflected on his journey, the role of the Holy See, which works "behind-the-scenes" in peace negotiations, so that all parties may lay down arms. Regarding Ukraine, he underlined Europe's involvement and the important role Italy could play and the situation in Venezuela..

Answering a question about how he reacted to being elected Pope, he mentioned that until a year or to ago he had thought about retiring someday….

"The Conclave itself, I believe very strictly about the secret of the Conclave, even though I know that there have been public interviews where some things were revealed. I said to a reporter the day before I was elected, she caught me on the street I was going to lunch across the street at the Augustinians, and she said, 'What do you think? You have become one of the candidates!' And I simply said, 'Everything is in the hands of God.' And I believe that profoundly.

"One of you, there is a German journalist on here who said to me the other day, tell me one book, besides St Augustine, that we could read to understand who Prevost is.

"And there's several I thought of, but one of them is a book called, 'The practice of the presence of God.' It's a very simple book, by someone who doesn't even give his last name, Brother Lawrence, written many years ago.

"But it describes, if you will, a type of prayer and spirituality where one simply gives his life to the Lord and allows the Lord to lead. If you want to know something about me, that has been my spirituality for many years.

"In midst of great challenges, living in Peru during years of terrorism, being called to service in places where I never thought I would be called to serve to. I trust in God, and that message is something that I share with all people.

"So what was it like? I resigned myself to the fact when I saw how things were going, and I said that this could be a reality. I took a deep breath, I said here we go Lord, you're in charge, you lead the way."

In response to the question: "from your own perspective, what unique gift does the Church in the Middle East-with all its tears, wounds, challenges and past history-can give the Church in the West and the world?" - Pope Leo answered:

"Let me preface my response by saying that today people who grew up in a very individualistic society-young people who passed significant amount of time during the pandemic because of COVID, and whose personal relationships are oftentimes very isolated, in reality because they are only through computer screens or smartphones-they ask sometimes, 'Why should we want to be one? I am an individual, and I don't care about others.'

"And I think there is a very important message here to say to all people that unity, friendship, human relationships, communion, are extremely important and extremely valuable. If for no other reason, then the example you mentioned about someone who has lived through war or has suffered and is in pain, what an embrace can mean to them.

"What that very human, real, healthy expression of personal care can do to heal the heart of someone else. On a personal level, that can become, if you will, a common level, a community level that unites all of us, and helps us understand, and respect for one another goes far beyond 'You keep your distance; I'll stay here, and you stay there, and we'll have no interaction.' But it means building up relationships that will enrich all people.

"With that message, certainly, my motto is primarily because of Christ 'il illo' is 'In Christ who is one we are all one.'

But it is not defined, if you will, only for Christians. As a matter of fact, it is an invitation to all of us and to others to say: the more we can promote authentic unity and understanding, respect and human relationships of friendship and dialogue in the world, the greater possibility there is that we will put aside the arms of war, that we will leave aside the distrust, the hatred, the animosity that has so often been built up and that we will find ways to come together and be able to promote authentic peace and justice throughout the world."

Watch the whole press conference on Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdaNskoxkw4