Earlier today, another sign that, no matter what happens, at least a sense of Catholic normalcy is returning to the Vatican.
After each of the past conclaves, one of the first meetings of the elected Roman Pontiff is a salutation to the men and women of the media who covered the interregnum and conclave. In 2013, at the end of his rambling, Francis refused (simply refused) to impart the traditional blessing, just remaining in silence for a while and saying he was giving a "silent blessing" out of "respect" for "non-believers."
Today, Leo XIV just did his job and imparted the blessing, without the need for megalomaniacal performative humility. Video*:
🇻🇦 Benedizione papale al termine dell'incontro con i 5.000 giornalisti provenienti da tutto il mondo che hanno seguito il Conclave.Il Papa precedente, nel 2013, si rifiutò di impartire la benedizione, preferendo una "benedizione silenziosa" per "rispetto" verso i non credenti. pic.twitter.com/d27W5VmyoY— 𝕊𝕀𝔸𝕋𝔼 𝕊𝔸ℕ𝕋𝕀 (@SiateSanti) May 12, 2025
Our long collective nightmare is over. The road ahead may be hard, treacherous and filled with difficulties, but at least we woke up from the nightmare. We can actually plan ahead now that the trance has lost its hold over the Catholic faithful.
Abp. George Gänswein, Apostolic Nuncio to Lithuania and former secretary to Pope Benedict XVI, shares our view. In declarations to Italian daily Corriere della Sera,** Gänswein said:
..."Leo XIV will create bridges like his predecessor. But in a different context and a different style than Francis. In the Church today there are great tensions, and outside there are frightening conflicts. I think doctrinal clarity is needed now. The confusion of these years must be overcome. And one of the tools to be used are the structures that are already present there. The institutions of the Church are neither a plague, nor a threat against the Pope. They are there to provide help to the pontiffs, who must get help. You cannot govern yourself by distrusting your own institutions." ...
“Papa Prevost gives me great hope. I am convinced that he will make a positive impact within the Church and in the world. He is a peacemaker. Already the choice of name, in the tradition of St. Leo the Great and Leo III who crowned Charlemagne in the 800s, is very indicative. Name and dress made it clear that there will be continuity, not a totally new phase. His experience, ability to speak many languages, the fact that he was a missionary, but also worked in the Curia for two years, make him both a pastor and a governing pope. He does not come from one background but from many things together. And this will allow him to speak to everyone.” ...
"Now a new phase is opening. I sense some widespread relief. The age of arbitrariness is over. We can start counting on a papacy that can guarantee stability and rely on existing structures, without overturning and upsetting them."
*Tip: @SiateSanti at X.
** Tip: Catholic Conclave blog.
