- 12 June, 2025
Panaji, Goa, June 11, 2025: His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, was one of the four Indian cardinals who participated in the papal conclave held from May 7 to 8, which culminated in the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th head of the Catholic Church. Upon his election, Cardinal Prevost assumed the name of Pope Leo XIV.
In an email-based interview with Catholic Connect, Cardinal Ferrão, who also serves as President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), reflected on his experiences during this historic conclave. He also shared his views about the potential impact of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy on the Church in India, particularly in the areas of evangelisation, social justice, and interreligious dialogue.
Excerpts From the Interview
Your Eminence, could you share details about your first personal encounter with Pope Leo XIV?
My first “personal encounter” with Pope Leo XIV took place during the celebratory dinner that was held at Domus Sanctae Marthae soon after his election. To my surprise, I found myself sitting by his side. Others seated at the same table were, like me, representatives of continental Federations of Episcopal Conferences.
I had already ‘met’ Cardinal Prevost during the last two Synodal Assemblies in Rome (October 2023 and October 2024), in which both of us had taken part; from his occasional interventions during the Synod, he came across to me as a calm and unassuming person, with a great ability to listen, having a clear theological vision and a profound love for the Church.
As I sat with the new Pope during that historic dinner, I was particularly impressed by his serenity and listening ear as well as by his wide knowledge of the diverse situations the Church is facing today.
What personal attributes in the then-Cardinal Prevost do you believe resulted in a majority of the Cardinals deciding to vote for him as the new Pope?
I must say that the days immediately preceding the Conclave were very important for us, Cardinal-electors, to meet and get to know one another, particularly during the General Congregations and the informal moments, such as coffee breaks and meals.
Almost imperceptibly, a harmonious consensus began to emerge during those days regarding the qualities we would like to see in the new pope. The new pontiff would have to be open to taking forward, with dialogue and in a synodal spirit, the ecclesial renewal and missionary vision of the Church brought about by recent popes, from Saint John XXIII to Pope Francis, as outlined in the Second Vatican Council. Cardinal Prevost seemed to gather these qualities to a very satisfactory degree, besides those that I have already pointed out above. And they were manifest to the other Cardinals, too.
Could you share what it felt like to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV?
I felt a great sense of awe and responsibility. The thought of being one of a handful of men called to discern whom the Lord wished to guide the Church in these challenging and troubled times filled me with trepidation. Who am I to earn such a privilege?
And yet, here I was, called to cast my vote.
Although I had feelings of anxiety initially, I gained a quiet confidence in the joyful anticipation of getting to know the one the Lord had in His mind to guide His Church at this particular point in time. I knew, therefore, that I and all my fellow Cardinals needed to be keenly attentive and docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Just as the first Apostles did not choose Saint Peter as ‘the rock upon which Christ would build His Church’, so too we were not there to choose Peter’s successor, but only to discern and confirm the Lord’s choice of such a man.
What was the spiritual atmosphere like inside the Sistine Chapel during the voting?
There was a deep sense of prayer from the beginning to the end. The procession of the Cardinals to the great Sistine Chapel, invoking in chant, the assistance of all the Saints, set the right tone for the whole event.
Then came the singing of the Veni Creator Spiritus – “Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest” – praying that he should descend upon us to enlighten our minds and to conform them with the mind of Christ.
Placing our hand on the Sacred Scriptures, as each one of us swore to abide by the rules of the Conclave and to keep complete secrecy, added to the solemnity of the moment and gave us the right spiritual disposition to do what we were called to do.
How do you perceive Pope Leo XIV's leadership style and vision for the Catholic Church?
To my mind, Pope Leo XIV's leadership style and vision for the Catholic Church reflect a blend of tradition, pastoral attentiveness and a commitment to unity and to peace. His style of governance, so far, appears to be rooted in synodality and participation.
During his tenure as the Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, he empowered lay leaders, promoted youth ministries, worked across ecclesial factions and reached out to those in the existential peripheries.
As I mentioned earlier, he is a patient listener, and he values collaboration while also maintaining doctrinal clarity. He envisions the Church as a force for reconciliation in a divided world. His Inaugural Mass underscored his desire for a missionary Church that embraces dialogue and engagement with contemporary challenges. And his approach to leadership is rather collegial, continuing the spirit of synodality fostered by Pope Francis while maintaining his own distinct style.
How do you envision the new Pope’s papacy influencing the Catholic Church in India, particularly in areas such as evangelisation, social justice, and interfaith dialogue?
Pope Leo’s papacy is indeed expected to have a significant impact on the Catholic Church in India, particularly in the areas of evangelisation, social justice and interfaith dialogue. His emphasis on a missionary approach that transcends borders, drawing from his experience in North and South America, is expected to inspire renewed efforts in India, where the Church has historically played an important role in education, social action and healthcare. His focus on unity and communion would certainly encourage Indian Catholics to engage more actively in spreading the Gospel while respecting our cultural diversities.
Given Pope Leo’s background in advocating for marginalised communities and his emphasis on dignity and inclusion, his papacy could bring renewed attention to the plight of Dalit Christians in India, who often face discrimination even within the Church. This, in turn, could encourage Indian bishops to address similar caste-based inequalities more effectively.
As far as interfaith dialogue is concerned, our Pope’s call for peace and reconciliation aligns with the Indian Church’s ongoing efforts to foster dialogue with Hindu, Muslim and other religious communities. His focus on harmony and overcoming prejudice will certainly encourage Indian Catholic leaders to promote interfaith dialogue and collaborative initiatives.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India has welcomed Pope Leo the Fourteenth’s election with optimism, recognising his leadership as a historic milestone. His vision for a Church that listens and embraces all voices will resonate deeply in India, where Catholicism is shaped by both tradition and modern challenges.
Are there any specific challenges facing the Church today that you believe the new Pope should address as a priority during the early years of his papacy, and why?
As of today, Pope Leo XIV faces several pressing challenges, and his response to them will, in a way, shape his early years as a pontiff. In my opinion, some of the most urgent include:
1. Church Governance and Authority – His doctoral dissertation explored the evolving nature of authority in the Church, emphasising the need for a leadership that balances tradition with modernity. He may need to address concerns about hierarchical structures and how they align with contemporary expectations of transparency and accountability.
2. Social Justice and Inclusion – His commitment to marginalised communities suggests that he will prioritise addressing economic inequality and discrimination. His leadership could encourage a more proactive stance on justice within the Church.
3. Artificial Intelligence and Ethics – Pope Leo XIV has already highlighted Artificial Intelligence as a major concern, calling for ethical frameworks to guide its development. His approach is bound to influence global discussions on the impact of technology on human dignity and labour.
4. Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Tolerance – Given his emphasis on reconciliation, he may work to strengthen relationships between the Catholic Church and other religious communities, particularly in regions where such tensions exist.
5. Financial Stability and Church Reform – The Vatican faces significant financial challenges, including budget deficits and pension fund shortfalls. His ability to implement reforms will be crucial in ensuring the Church’s long-term sustainability.
Of course, each of these challenges requires careful handling, balancing doctrinal integrity with the evolving needs of the faithful. Pope Leo’s response to these issues is bound to define his personal legacy as well as the Church’s role in the modern world.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
© 2025 CATHOLIC CONNECT POWERED BY ATCONLINE LLP
