Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SCEAM), described the election of Pope Leo XIV as a profound moment guided by the Holy Spirit. Having participated in the Conclave that followed the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Ambongo emphasized that the decision was not just the will of men, but a spiritual discernment born of deep prayer, dialogue, and unity among the Cardinals.
Arriving in Rome just after the passing of Pope Francis, Cardinal Ambongo recounted the three emotionally charged phases the Church experienced: the funeral of the late pontiff, the nine days of mourning accompanied by General Congregations, and finally, the Conclave. Each phase brought its own weight and importance—the grief of farewell, the sober deliberation on the Church’s direction, and the sacred act of choosing a new spiritual leader.
Reflecting on the Conclave, Cardinal Ambongo described a remarkable unity among the 133 Cardinals from across the globe. Despite diverse backgrounds and limited familiarity with one another, they quickly formed bonds, exchanged ideas, and reached a consensus on the qualities the next Pope needed. In Pope Leo XIV, they found a leader who embodied pastoral closeness, global experience, and a heart aligned with the Church’s pressing needs. His election brought genuine joy to the College of Cardinals, and many saw it as a sign of divine providence.
The Congolese prelate dismissed media narratives of ideological division within the Church, asserting that what truly unites the Cardinals is their love for Christ, not political leanings. The Church, he said, is not a battleground of conservatism and progressivism but a community anchored in the person of Jesus.
In an age torn apart by conflicts, Cardinal Ambongo expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV, with his multicultural heritage and missionary spirit, would carry forward the peace-oriented vision of Pope Francis. Drawing on his French-Italian roots, American nationality, and ministry in Latin America and Africa, the new Pope is a global citizen in every sense. This worldly perspective, Ambongo believes, will help him bridge divides and speak a language of reconciliation to a fractured world.
The name Leo XIV itself echoes the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, author of the Church’s first major social encyclical, Rerum Novarum. Cardinal Ambongo sees this as a meaningful choice, hinting at a pontificate attentive to global social justice and economic equity. Having worked on several Vatican financial bodies, Pope Leo XIV is well-positioned to continue much-needed reforms, emphasizing transparency and integrity in Church governance.
For Africa, Cardinal Ambongo sees in Leo XIV a Pope who understands the continent’s wounds and potential. He stressed the importance of advancing the synodal process, a path Pope Francis began, which emphasizes collective discernment and unity. In regions plagued by conflict—like Sudan, the Congo, and the Great Lakes—synodality could offer a model for reconciliation and cooperation.
In closing, the Cardinal called on the faithful, especially in Africa, to welcome Pope Leo XIV with open hearts and to support him through prayer. Leading over a billion Catholics is an immense responsibility, one that demands not just vision but divine strength. As the successor of Peter, the Pope must be a beacon of mercy—not only for Catholics but for all humanity.
“Our duty,” said Cardinal Ambongo, “is not to speculate or compare, but to believe that God has chosen the right shepherd for our time. Let us pray that Pope Leo XIV is granted the wisdom, grace, and courage to confirm the faithful in their faith and to bring Christ’s love to every corner of the earth.”