White Smoke and a New Pope
The conclave makes a call
Well, I think
said it best: “This conclave was shorter than the movie.”A little over 24 hours after the cardinals retreated to the Sistine Chapel, white smoke rose from the chimney, and thanks to Ralph Fiennes and Isabelle Rosalini, we all knew what that meant. A new Pope!
We also knew from the quick education the Best Picture nominee provided that the final selection was unlikely to be the top contenders. Italian Pietro Parolin was basically the vice-presidential equivalent in a cardinal and was seen as a likely candidate. Filipino Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle was also seen as a possibility.
convinced me in the comments of another post to root for Tagle writing, “I can’t emphasize enough how much the Filipino people want to see a person of our culture in a position of influence in the world. We work as helpers, caregivers, and in service across the entire world.”In the end, the old adage (that I’m sure we’ve all read in at least five think pieces at this point) proved true. "He who enters a conclave as a pope leaves it as a cardinal."
The cardinals elected Robert Frances Prevost from … CHICAGO?!? Prevost - now Pope Leo XIV - wasn’t exactly a dark horse or unknown. He has been serving as the prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops, which selects the next generation of bishops. A job that would connect you to a large proportion of the church hierarchy. He is the first American Pope in history, but is also seen as a representative from Latin America after spending two decades serving as a missionary in Peru and becoming a naturalized citizen there.
Under almost any rubric, he is a moderate pick that can hopefully continue Pope Francis’s work of bringing the church to the people. He has managerial experience but isn’t seen as too steeped in Vatican bureaucracy. He has an articulated devotion to the poor and left behind in society, but has not advocated for dramatic theological changes to the ordination of women or acceptance of LGBTQ members. He is an American but can speak credibly for the global south, where Catholicism continues to grow.
Pope Leo, who is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French, addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square in Italian with an additional greeting in Spanish.
With tears in his eyes, he said, “To the Church of Rome—a special greeting. We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive—like this square with open arms—everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.”
I like that this pick is safe. I like that there’s the excitement of an American pick, but his history is a little more complicated than pure nationalism would allow. I like that he’s steady but also young. I like that he’s Francis…but also not. The world doesn’t need any more saviors, and, according to their theology, Catholics already have one anyway. I’m excited to see what Pope Leo can do, and I'm also prepared to forget about him for months at a time.
Something about that is deeply comforting and, right now, I’ll take it.
2025 Slow Read: Habits of the Heart
We shared Part 1 of our conversation about Habits of the Heart this week here on Substack. As with all our conversations about citizenship, this one was wide-ranging and full of the questions and values that make up the story of our lives.
Habits of the Heart: Part One
Sarah and Beth are together to discuss Part One of Habits of the Heart, which they are both finding so relevant here in 2025. They discuss the value of doing things in community, the social construct of marriage, the authors’ disdain for therapeutic culture, and the structures of friendship.
If you’re looking for a last-minute Mother’s Day gift, be sure to check out Sarah and Beth’s Mother’s Day gift guide for the perfect treat for the mom in your life who has everything except a functioning democracy.
Something Nice to Take You Into the Weekend
Sheridan (and several others) sent us this video of Salt Lake City mayor Erin Mendenhall adopting additional flags to celebrate and represent ALL the people of Salt Lake City. Her speech will make you cry in a good way.
What We’re Reading and Listening To This Week
Sarah:
Beth: Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
and I’m thinking a LOT about AIEveryone Is Cheating Their Way Through College (New York Magazine)
The Dangers of AI Flattery + Kevin Meets the Orb + Group Chat Chat (The New York Times)
Alise: Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang
Copyright (C) 2024 Pantsuit Politics. All rights reserved.
I had a realization last night that with an American Pope, we now have an American who is potentially more powerful than the president, certainly recognized as a more global authority. I am so curious how this will affect *gestures wildly* everything.
I really needed a couple more days, but whatev.