When white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel yesterday, many of us paused whatever we were doing—some watching TV, others checking their phones—to hear the name of our new Holy Father.
And what a surprise it was: Pope Leo XIV, the first American who also has Peruvian roots. For us in Goa, far from Rome but close in faith, this choice means more than just a new name in the Vatican. It brings new hope.
A POPE WITH LATIN AMERICAN ROOTS: WHY THAT MATTERS?
Unlike many popes before him, Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost) didn’t come from a European background. He’s American by birth but has worked for years in Peru, walking and working with poor communities and facing real, day-to-day problems.
The fact that he understands life outside Europe makes him more like one of us. He’s a man who has seen both the wealth of the West and the struggles of the South. That makes him more grounded and more human. And in a Church that sometimes feels far away from ordinary people, this is refreshing.
He’s a man who has seen both the wealth of the West and the struggles of the South.
CLOSE TO PEOPLE, NOT JUST PALACE
One of the best things about Pope Leo XIV is that he doesn’t carry himself like a king. Much like Pope Francis, he believes in a “Church that smells of the sheep”, a Church close to the people. This gives us confidence that he will listen to the voices of the poor, the young and the forgotten.
In Goa, where many still feel unheard, marginalised and vulnerable, whether it’s youth looking for direction or families dealing with rising costs and broken systems, his style gives us hope.
CARES ABOUT ENVIRONMENT
In Goa, we are proud of our natural beauty, our rivers, beaches, and green hills. But we’ve also seen how badly they are treated. Pope Leo XIV has already spoken strongly about the need to respect creation. He’s called out the "tyranny of human greed" and reminded us that caring for nature is not just science, it’s a moral duty.
For a state like ours, where development often clashes with environmental protection, his message is both, timely and necessary. Maybe we need to hear his words before we lose what God has given us.
He’s called out the "tyranny of human greed" and reminded us that caring for nature is not just science, it’s a moral duty.
ON LGBTQ+ AND WOMEN
Many people are wondering what this Pope will say about LGBTQ+ people and women in the Church. The truth is, he’s not someone who throws away Church teachings. But he does something just as important: he listens. He’s not quick to judge. He knows that different parts of the world deal with these issues differently.
In places like Goa, where Church and culture mix in unique ways, his pastoral, compassionate approach is exactly what we need. No name-calling, no shouting, just a gentle invitation to reflect and grow, while still staying faithful to Christ.
STANDING WITH MIGRANTS AND THE FORGOTTEN
Goa has a long history of migration—people leaving for jobs and others coming in. Sometimes this creates tension. Pope Leo XIV, having worked with thousands of Venezuelan migrants in South America, knows the pain of being uprooted.
He stands with the migrant, the job-seeker and the refugee not because it's popular, but because Jesus did. His voice could be a great encouragement for Goans working abroad, who often feel disconnected from home and the Church.
In places like Goa, where Church and culture mix in unique ways, his pastoral, compassionate approach is exactly what we need.
WHY HE GIVES ME HOPE
As a Goan Catholic priest, I don’t expect the Pope to fix everything. He’s not a politician and he’s not a superhero. But he sets the tone. He shows us what kind of Church we are called to be. And Pope Leo XIV, so far, seems to be calling us to be a humble Church, a listening Church, a compassionate Church.
Not just holy in words, but holy in action. To everyone reading this article, many of whom feel bored by the Church or angry at how things are, give this Pope a chance. He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. But he wants to include you. He believes the Holy Spirit speaks even through your doubts and your questions. Maybe, just maybe, he’s the bridge we’ve needed.
In Pope Leo XIV, we don’t have a man of grandeur or drama. We have someone real, someone who prays, listens and serves. In a world full of noise, it’s his quiet strength that might speak loudest.
And for us in Goa, so rich in faith, culture and spirit, his papacy might just be the push we need to make our Church more alive, more caring and more Christlike. May we pray for him, support him and walk this new journey of faith together.