Bishop of Derry welcomes ‘relatively fast’ election of recent Pope

The Bishop of Derry has stated it’s “good news” {that a} new Pope has been elected “reasonably quickly”.

White smoke began billowing from the chimney at the Sistine Chapel in Rome in a while after 17: 00 BST native time (17: 00 BST), signalling the balloting procedure had concluded.

The new pope is American Robert Prevost, who will probably be referred to as Pope Leo XIV.

He gave the impression at the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica a short while in the past.

Speaking in regards to the two-day conclave, Bishop Donal McKeown stated: “Had it gone on much longer, another day or so, it would’ve been a sign of a rather split conclave.

“I’m running at the assumption this implies that they have got reached a consensus at a relatively early level which is excellent news for all folks.”

Bishop McKeown met Robert Prevost in Rome last October.

He told BBC News NI that he found the new Pope to be a “maximum amenable individual”.

“He got here on his personal to satisfy me within the workplace, he sat and listened, requested clever questions, he knew his temporary,” Bishop McKeown said.

“I used to be very inspired through the courtesy with which I used to be met on that instance. In the congregation for bishops I’m very small fry. He handled me with huge recognize and courtesy and I’m very inspired.”

Bishop McKeown stated that “main any organisation is extremely tough”.

He added: “A management of the global Catholic Church is a gigantic problem however I noticed ahead of me final October a are compatible, wholesome guy who used to be gracious in all that he did.”

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin wished Pope Leo XIV “each and every energy, excellent well being, and the specified non secular steering as he starts his undertaking of main the Catholic Church at a time of problem, construction at the pastoral course and achievements of Pope Francis”.

He added: “On behalf of the federal government and the folk of Ireland, I be offering heat congratulations to Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV.

“The scenes of great joy and celebrations in St. Peter’s Square are a reflection of the hopes and goodwill felt by people of the Catholic faith from all around the world towards the new pope.”

Journalist and creator Martin O’Brien stated he used to be within the media centre in Rome however had simply long gone outdoor “to get a sense of the atmosphere when suddenly I heard a great sound of excitement”.

“And there was the white smoke, unmistakably white smoke billowing,” he stated.

“I think there was a sense almost of disbelief in a sense that when you are actually there witnessing a moment of history you think ‘is this happening or is it not’.”