Cardinal shares experience of papal conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, has shared his experience of participating in the recent conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.

Speaking to the BBC, Nichols described the atmosphere in the Sistine Chapel as “immensely peaceful” and said the process was much calmer than he expected, with no “rancour” or “politicking” among the cardinals.

Nichols, one of 133 cardinals locked in the conclave following the death of Pope Francis, explained that there was no communication with the outside world and his phone was taken away. This allowed him more time for reflection and prayer. “For me, one of the experiences of these last few days was to learn a bit of patience,” he said.

At 79, Nichols was among the oldest cardinals eligible to vote, as those over 80 are excluded. He noted that the short duration of the conclave—just one day—was partly due to the solid foundation left by Pope Francis. “Pope Francis left us with a good inheritance,” Nichols said, praising the cardinals' dedication and their desire for a more missionary-focused Church.

Looking ahead, Cardinal Nichols described Pope Leo XIV as "decisive in a quiet way," noting his ability to make tough decisions while maintaining compassion. Pope Leo will be formally inaugurated in St. Peter’s Square on 18 May, with global delegations in attendance, including the Duke of Edinburgh representing King Charles.

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