The world welcomed the announcement of our new Holy Father, American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV on May 8. His elevation to Pope came on the first full day of the Papal Conclave, and SHS students had a front-row seat to history in the making.
As the Conclave prepared for it’s fourth – and what turned out to be final – vote, SHA students huddled together with Sister Lorna during lunch and viewed the announcement on laptops. In TEAM and in the hallways, the events were broadcast live from the Vatican and students and faculty waited with great anticipation during "Pope Watch." Everyone was surprised when an American pope was chosen for the first time.
SHMS Level 2 and 3 students got a personal report on the Papal Conclave and atmosphere in Vatican Square from former principal and current SHMS parent, Dr. Michael Bratcher, who is currently in Italy. Students were able to ask him questions via Zoom from the Vatican and got live updates about the famous plume of smoke visible from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
L2 teacher Stephanie Hilgeford said, "We had an amazing opportunity to Zoom with Dr. Bratcher who is in Vatican City today! The students really enjoyed learning about how the Pope is elected and asked great questions."
Later, the SHMS students watched the events unfold on television live from the Vatican. They were thrilled to hear that an American Cardinal will be the new Holy Father.
Before the white smoke rose in Rome, Robert Francis Prevost spent years in Peru, walking among Indigenous peoples in the Andes. He was a missionary there — a man of the Church bringing his teachings into communities that already had their own ways of praying. Peru is an important mission for our Ursuline Sisters as well, as promoters of Santa Angela Merici School in Callao, Peru. Several Ursuline Sisters have served in Peru for more than 60 years.
Sister Jean Anne Zappa, president of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, reflected: “Although this is a historic moment of an election of a pope from the United States, even more importantly are Pope Leo XIV’s words that affirm Pope Francis’s Gospel message of peace and outreach to others. He called us to be bridge builders, to have a welcoming spirit and live out our Catholic Social teachings in this time of geo-political, social, and religious challenges. All of us are called to be missionary disciples.”
Pope Leo XIV brings with him the promise of continuity — to build on what was started and nurtured by Pope Francis and others. We as a community pray for his health wisdom, courage, and success in leading the millions of Catholics and faithful throughout the world in a quest for peace and reverence.
What an exciting day to watch history unfold before our eyes! Our Sacred Heart students will likely never forget this historic day, always remembering where they were when the first American Pope was selected. In community and with reverence, Sacred Heart celebrates our new Pope Leo XIV!