Pope Leo’s message of peace has reached the Romans

This morning there is only one topic in Rome: Papa Leone. The new, the unknown. Is Robert Francis Prevost more an American or a Latino? “After all, he lived in Peru for twenty years, and he also has European roots, even Italian,” said a woman in the S-Bahn on the way to work. You can still feel the freshly chosen Pontifex. You are looking for answers.

In the station café in front of the San Pietro station, the teachers Veronica and Cinzia puzzled over the first US Pope in church history. “You chose him to contain President Trump,” believes Veronica. Leo will provide peace and justice, Cinzia hopes. Over there, Augusto drinks an espresso at the counter. The first appearance was a little too pompous, says the 30-year-old. In stole from brocade on the Mittelloggia by Sankt Peter. But otherwise? Otherwise Leo was okay.

A little further, in the Boutique of Patrizia: her friend Roberto, a lawyer, took freely today to relax in the thermal baths. Before he starts, he stops by in the shop. The two talk about the election evening. Of course she was on St. Peter’s Square yesterday and cheered. “Leo is a sensitive man, has a strong character. He will bring us peace,” she says. Roberto – round glasses over a friendly face – nods enthusiastically, smiles with satisfaction. “Prevost is a good choice. He preached for the poor, but is also an ingenious thinker, a mathematician. He is intelligent,” he says.

The white -haired Roman really surprised that the pope choice was so fast. It makes him think. The conclave is a meeting of old men, and in old age, everyone would be more inflexible. “But the cardinals made it to agree on you on the fourth attempt. The church yesterday demonstrated that it could renew itself,” analyzes Roberto.

Another house stands together under a large entrance portal. One has just carried out their lively dog. The other two are on the way to the bar for breakfast. You know each other, you talk about the family and the news in the house. But this morning Leo is the topic. And that doesn’t work so quickly. Everyone wants to tell how they noticed it.

Leo was a bit unsure at first, says one, again and again he was close to tears. He had to get his speech exactly. But every word sat for that. The core of his message was for her: “A disarmed and disarming peace.” She hears the wording for a moment. Then she determines: Leo is a Pope who will bring us peace.

Her neighbor reaches another point from his speech. How he approached people despite his reservation. Leo asked everyone to help so that the church was united again. He believes that he will give the faith community new momentum. He also reaches young people.

Short demand in front of the Caffetteria San Pietro, where a group of ninth graders from the nearby high school delays the way into the classroom. This mild spring morning is too tempting. Her voices are still a little rough of yesterday. They would have joined with thousands of others in the crowd on St. Peter’s Square. And clapped. What does the Pope mean to you in general? “He belongs to us. He has always been there. Let’s see how the new one will be,” says one. And what should Leo do? “I would like it if he tried to bring the young people back to the church. That would create more peace between us,” believes another. The rest of the group agrees. Conclusion of youth: Leo is fine. Then you have to go.