White Smoke: On The Election of Pope Leo XIV – Podcast

In this 13 minute podcast, Catholic Connection show host Teresa Tomeo interviews Dr. Italy about the election of Pope Leo XIV. Providentially, Dr. Italy was leading a pilgrimage in Rome and was in St. Peter’s square on May 8, 2025, when the white smoke rose from the chimney.

In early May of 2025, I was leading a group of pilgrims on an Italy Holy Year pilgrimage, and on our last day in Rome, found myself in St. Peter’s Square, when white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, announcing the election of our new pope!  It was an amazing experience, and in this radio interview with show host Teresa Tomeo (who was also in the square to greet our new pope), we discuss our reactions, impressions, and hopes regarding the election of Pope Leo XIV.

We found the new pontiff’s first words to his flock comforting and encouraging, and pray that the Holy Father may be a bridge-builder and a unifying force in the Church.  We also discuss a new book on Pope Leo XIV, When the White Smoke Clears, which I am co-writing with several other well-known Catholic educators, for Ascension Press.

 

For more on Pope Leo XIV, read the text from his Inaugural Mass homily HERE.

To subscribe to Dr. Italy’s weekly podcast and never miss an episode, visit http://crossroadsinitiative.libsyn.com/ or the Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy podcasts on iTunes or Spotify.

Banner/featured image: Fumata bianca – Conclave 2025 by P 1997.  License: CC-by-SA 4.0