Bishop Paul Hendricks introduces Pope Leo XIV

On the day that Pope Leo XIV was elected I was at home, having returned from a conference that finished early. When white smoke appeared above St Peter’s Square to say a new Pope had been chosen, I was able to watch the next hour or so on live television, until his name was announced.

I’m not one to stay up late to watch the results coming in during a general election, but I found that the collective anticipation infectious. Who would the cardinals choose? Where would he lead the Catholic Church? Though I believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I also know that God can often surprise us in all sorts of ways…

Paul Hendricks is Catholic Co-Chair of the RC/URC Dialogue Group

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This is an extract from an article published in the Issue 4 – 2025 edition of Reform

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