‍

Pope Leo XIV was elected to the papacy on Thursday 8 May, with staff and seminarians from the Venerable English College  (VEC) in Rome closely following the progress of the conclave from St Peter’s Square. Reflecting shortly afterwards, Barnabas Mercer (pictured above holding a Holy See flag), a seminarian from our Diocese, based at the VEC, said:

‍

"We arrived back at St Peter’s Square at around 5pm on Thursday - most of us had seen the black smoke [from the temporary Sistine Chapel chimney] at noon. The atmosphere was incredibly cordial; as we waited - holding a rather conspicuous Union Flag - people came to speak to us, some were seminarians from other colleges or friends, some were pilgrims, and others were non-practising Catholics who found themselves providentially in Rome.
 
“Just over an hour later we heard a cry of excitement, and the crowd surged forward. I remember being confused that the smoke was lighter than I’d expected and was just about to remark on this when I realised it was white - we had a pope! There was much shouting, jumping, laughing, and some nerves in the moments that followed.
 
“We waited in good humour and prayer to see who had been selected. Shortly after 7pm, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti came out on the balcony. The Square erupted and he had to wait for some time to make the announcement we had all been waiting for: ‘Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam’ (I announce to you a great joy, we have a pope!).
 
“After more cheering, we heard the name, Robert Francis Prevost announced. I was with some American clergy, who were shocked to hear that one of their fellow countrymen had been elected. The name Leo XIV was another surprise - yet a very welcome one, given the pope’s predecessors, Leo the Great (440-61) and Leo XIII (1810-1903).
 
“Pope Leo came out onto the balcony shortly afterwards and immediately struck us as a man of sincere humility - his first words to us were: ‘la pace sia con tutti voi!’ (peace be with you all) peace being one of the consistent themes of his pontificate so far.
 
“I felt incredibly grateful to have the privilege of witnessing Pope Leo XIV’s first public appearance; we returned to the VEC church afterwards, lit all the candles we could find, and prayed for the new pope before celebrating together as a community.”

 
Diocesan Deacon Mark Woods and his wife Jane, visited the VEC shortly after Pope Leo’s election, speaking earlier this week, Deacon Mark said:
 

“A number of former students at the Venerable English College, including those from our Diocese - who were staying at Villa Palazzola outside Rome - came down into the city to visit the VEC and meet seminarians and staff on Wednesday 14 May. After processing on pilgrimage to the Holy Door in St Peter's Basilica we celebrated Mass in the Chapel of the Choir with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States - The Vatican's 'Foreign Secretary'.
 
"Following the celebration of Mass there was an opportunity to join the VEC’s new Heritage Director, Dr Jane Eade, to view a selection of newly discovered treasures held in the college’s Archives and Rare Book Collection. These included the Liber Ruber (Red Book) which contains the names of all the men who have trained at the College, from the first student in 1578, St Ralph Sherwin (Priest and Martyr) to the present day. Later that evening, Fr Stephen Wang, Rector of the College, highlighted the purpose of the VEC - which is not only to train and form men for the priesthood - but to welcome and inspire pilgrims by sharing the VEC’s unique history and heritage."

‍

‍

Pope Leo XIV’s Mass of Inauguration took place at St Peter’s on Sunday 18 May attended by Deacon Mark and Jane Woods, Fr David King - diocesan priest and the VEC’s Pastoral Director - and Barnabas Mercer. During the Mass of Inauguration the new pope was presented with the Pallium [a strip of lambs’ wool which is worn on the shoulders and fastened with three pins resembling the nails of the cross] and the Fisherman's Ring [a symbol of the Petrine Ministry with deep roots in the New Testament] and confirmed as the 276th successor of St Peter. Speaking later, Jane said,

‍

“I found the opportunity to see Pope Leo a moving and inspiring occasion,”

‍

Deacon Mark added:

‍

“It was a powerful reminder of the universality of the Church of which we are a part and the role of the Pope as the shepherd of the Church under Jesus Christ.”

‍

‍

With thanks to Barnabas Mercer and Mark & Jane Woods. Barnabas was instituted lector yesterday; please keep him in your prayers.