«The media representation of the conclave is often that of a moment of intrigues, rope, secret agreements. Instead, it was a moment of prayer and fraternal exchange and in the end the cards mixed them and gives her the Holy Spirit who also made its duty this time. We listened to the spirit and between us ».
Is the comment of the Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio in Syria, in the conclave in which he participated and who elected Robert Francis Prevost. In these days, Zenari is in his hometown, Verona, before returning to Rome to participate in the pontificate mass of Pope Leone’s pontificate, scheduled for Sunday 18 May, and then returning to Syria: “As he told us, joking, the Pope, we must return to work”, he says, “were very tiring but also beautiful and rich in grace days”.
Eminence, what experience was it?
“Indescribable. It was my first, unique and last conclave. So I lived it with a certain emotion. The last three weeks, from the death of Pope Francis to the election of Leone XIV, have been a bombing of emotions ».
Has the attention of the media around the world prompted you to do soon?
“I lived in via della Conciliazione and every day, when I went to the general congregations of the cardinals, I was almost” hunted “by the journalists who left the assault. The climate of the conclave, however, was waterproof to the various media “reconstructions” because we prepared ourselves and we made shield with prayer, reflection, mutual listening “.
You did quite quickly with the white smoke in the fourth ballot.
«Far from cameras and microphones, the Holy Spirit had the opportunity to mix the cards. The conclave was prepared with the prayer of the whole Church and this did us well. In the congregations and then at Casa Santa Marta we lived moments of friendship and exchange, especially during meals. This helped us focus on challenges and needs and choose the right person ».
What Pope will be Leo XIV?
«He will be able to carry out the mission of Pietro’s successor well for these complicated times. There will be no revolutions but the work of its predecessors will continue even if no pope is the copy of another. I had known Cardinal Prevost when he was prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops and I deepened his knowledge in these weeks of congregations ».
In the speech to the Cardinals he asked to be helped by you in the government of the Church.
«An important request. There are ad hoc structures for this: the Synod and also the Bishop’s College ».
What struck it most in the speech that has made just elected?
«The strong recall to the peace started from the greeting that the Risen Christ addresses to the disciples and to each of us today. I live from sixteen in Syria, a country torn apart by war and hatred, and touch with your hand every day how this invitation to peace is of fundamental importance. Another aspect that I liked is the reference to the Virgin Mary who was present in the Upper Supper, together with the disciples, during the descent of the Holy Spirit ».
What did you say immediately after the election?
“The Pope greeted one by one all of us cardinals in the Sistine and when it was my turn he perfectly knew Syria and my business in that country”.
Maybe one of the next trips could be Syria.
“We hope, never say never.”
