Reflecting on the Pope’s first words: “Peace be with you all”—he drew a parallel with the greeting of Jesus Christ to his disciples.
The President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, His Grace Archbishop Andrew Nkea, has welcomed the election of Robert Francis Prevost, also known as Pope Leo XIV with heartfelt joy and reverence, calling it a “moment of joy and spiritual depth” for Catholics across the globe. Speaking during an interview granted to state broadcaster, Crtv, the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon,
His Grace Archbishop Andrew Nkea, expressed profound gratitude for the successful conclusion of the conclave, describing the moment as both exhilarating and spiritually significant. “Like every Catholic, this is a very exciting moment for us, but it is also a moment of spiritual depth… waiting for the new Holy Father and receiving his first blessings,” Archbishop Nkea said. Reflecting on the Pope’s first words—“Peace be with you all”—he drew a parallel with the greeting of Jesus Christ to his disciples. “That is a very, very reassuring thing for the Church,” he added.
The newly elected Pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is no stranger to the Cameroonian prelate. Archbishop Nkea revealed that the two had worked together closely in Rome, particularly in the Congregation for Bishops and during the Synod of Bishops. “We were on the same study group,” he noted, describing the new pontiff as “a very soft-spoken man, a very humble man, and a very deeply spiritual person.” Pope Leo XIV previously served as Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, overseeing episcopal appointments worldwide.
Archbishop Nkea praised his experience, saying, “He is up to the task… someone who already has his hands on deck.” In a remark that echoed the wisdom of Cameroon’s late Cardinal Christian Tumi, the Archbishop pointed out that Cardinal Prevost had not been seen as a leading contender. “Newspaper candidates never make it,” he said, adding, “We see him as a square peg in a square hole… chosen by the Holy Spirit to carry the Church forward according to the mind of Jesus Christ.” As the Catholic Church embarks on a new chapter under Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Nkea’s reflections capture the hope and confidence shared by many in Cameroon and beyond.
Robert Prevost Becomes First American Pope, Taking Name Leo XIV
In a historic decision, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old Chicago native, was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, adopting the papal name Leo XIV. His election marks the first time an American has ascended to the papacy. The conclave concluded on its second day with white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel after the fourth round of voting.
Pope Leo XIV addressed the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, emphasizing unity, peace, dialogue, and charity, especially for the suffering. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and called for building bridges among people. Prevost, a member of the Augustinian order, has a diverse background, having served as a missionary in Peru and later as the Archbishop of Chiclayo.
In 2023, he was appointed to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing global bishop appointments. His election is seen as a continuation of Pope Francis’s legacy, with expectations that he will maintain a focus on inclusivity and global outreach. The conclave that elected him was the largest in history, with 133 cardinal electors representing five continents.
