On 8 May Catholics worldwide celebrated as white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel and Cardinal Robert Prevost became the first American pope.
Many have been wondering what direction this papacy will take. Pope Francis, for all his positives, has left the Church in a more divided state than he found it, and so there is apprehension as to whether our new pope might become a divisive Francis II-esque figure, if not in name, then in action.
However, for those fearing this, our new Pope has given two important signs to the contrary. Firstly, unlike Pope Francis, he appeared on the balcony in the full papal regalia. Secondly, he chose the longstanding papal name "Leo" – meaning “lion” – symbolising strength and bravery.
