Cardinal Mykoła Bychok, a Redemptorist who participated in the conclave, shared his impressions of this historic event, and spoke about his conversation with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV in an interview with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic channel Žyve TV.
According to the bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul in Melbourne, Australia, the experience of participating in the conclave was extraordinary. “Emotions that are difficult to convey, because it is something incredible, an event that attracts the attention of the whole world – both believers and non-believers,” the cardinal said.
Two moments were particularly moving for him: when the cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel in procession and when everyone found themselves on the balconies of St. Peter’s Basilica, awaiting the announcement of the new pope.
Personal Conversation with the Newly Elected Pope
Cardinal Bychok spoke about his brief personal conversation with the newly elected Pope shortly after his election: “When I approached him, I told him that I am a bishop for Ukrainians in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. I assured him of my prayers and that Ukraine and Australia will also pray for his service to God, the Church and humanity. I also asked him to remember Ukraine in his prayers for a just peace and an end to the war.”
Atmosphere of prayer during the conclave
Cardinal Bychok emphasized that the conclave took place in an atmosphere of deep prayer: “There is a lot of time during the counting of votes. And it is not like shown in the movie Conclave. It is completely different – there is a lot of prayer. Above all, it is an appeal to the Holy Spirit, an appeal to the Holy Spirit to guide our vote and our actions, so that the person who is the best among all is truly chosen.”
“It was a beautiful moment in my life. Nobody disturbs you. I mean, the conclave really took place for me in complete peace, tranquility, and grace of the Holy Spirit,” the cardinal added.
The theme of Ukraine and the call for peace
Cardinal Bychok stressed that the topic of Ukraine was important during the cardinals’ discussions, especially before the conclave: “The topic of Ukraine was raised quite often, especially in the general congregations… The topic of Ukraine, the topic of wars, the topic of the victims of these wars, the topic of peace… even before the election of the Holy Father it was noted that they would be very important for the ministry of the next pope.”
The cardinal drew special attention to the cardinals’ common message, which has not been widely reported in the secular media: “In the last congregation of cardinals (…) an appeal was made to all the leaders of the world on behalf of 180 cardinals. It is something incredible. Not only the Pope is addressing this. It is practically the cardinals who have signed the appeal and the call for peace, for the cessation of wars in Ukraine, in the Holy Land, or elsewhere, ultimately not only in words, but in action, for the cessation of wars.”
The new Pope’s first words and hope for Ukraine
The cardinal expressed hope that the new pope will support Ukraine: “I was fascinated by his speech from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. He touched on the topic of peace, where he said: Peace be with you, and then, that this is a peace that is not achieved only by the powerful, but that is given by Christ himself, these are truly words that give us, we Ukrainians, great hope.”
“I am sincerely convinced and firmly believe that he will be on the side of Ukraine. He will do everything possible to end the war in Ukraine, in the whole world, everything in his power to free as many prisoners as possible, to find those who have disappeared,” Cardinal Bychok added.
The new pope took the name Leo XIV. According to Cardinal Bychok, the choice of the papal name could indicate the new pope’s desire to continue the tradition of Pope Leo XIII, known for his social doctrine and commitment to peace.
Source: ekai.pl
