After the great times of John Paul II, who gave us a vision of a universal Church capable of breaking down walls, and after Benedict XVI, who spoke to us about God in a profound and accessible way, Pope Francis has offered a synthesis of these two visions. I believe that we cannot fail to continue along this line. However, each Pope interprets Peter's mandate in his own original way, listening to his brothers gathered in the Conclave, who bring with them the experiences of their Churches and cultures. [...] The new pontiff will have to strengthen the unity of the Church. He will have to intensify ecumenical relations and interreligious dialogue. And then there is the methodology: the Church has walked on a path of synodality, collegiality and appreciation of episcopal conferences. I believe that this path must be consolidated. The new pope is called to walk among his people, but keeping in mind the realities of those who are ahead, those who are behind, and those who are on the right and on the left.

There is a deep harmony. Pope Francis manages to reach so many people, he touches their hearts, warms them, makes them feel loved, makes them feel that the Church is close to them, a Church that listens to you, that cares about your problems. The Pope has a great pastoral vision and proclaims the eternal truths in today's language and categories. Above all, he helps us understand that the social and the spiritual are intimately united. And woe betide anyone who divides them.

(From the homily during the Missa Pro eligendo Romano Pontifice) The liturgical texts of this Eucharistic celebration, then, invite us to fraternal love, to mutual help and to commitment to ecclesial communion and universal human fraternity.

During his years as Pope, Francis has placed great emphasis on the “Catholic” (universal) dimension of the Church, favouring the presence of pastors from all over the world, including in the composition of the College of Cardinals. The fact that he wanted a cardinal for your diocese does not contradict this line, but rather reinforces it, since Rome is called to preside over the communion and charity of all the Churches. In the Diocese of Rome, the universal character of the Church and its particular character come together in a special way. For this reason too, the closeness of Pope Francis, not only to me personally but to the whole Church, is a grace.

The Pope has placed before us a beautiful goal, this universal brotherhood, which logically, includes women and men, for Saint Francis did not exclude anyone! It is a commitment that begins to daily life, in the relationships that each of us have, and then extends it to the areas of professional or social commitment where we find ourselves, at whatever level. Logically, in the current situation, this is not easy, we cannot hide it and be naïve, but we have a goal and a great hope, for which we are also responsible. Moreover, I have faith that if we try to do our small part, God will do the rest if we let Him.

The new Pontiff, as he has said himself, will act in continuity with his predecessor Pope John Paul II, that is, he will continue along the path of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, the implementation of Vatican II, the search for peace and security for all. The latter is particularly dear to the hearts of Africans, victims of decades of war for which the international community finds it hard to provide suitable solutions.

I believe that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has made tremendous progress in the Church, and has changed in many ways the mentality of so many, both clerics and non-clerics. I think the laity feel much more comfortable within the structures of the Church nowadays than they did ten years ago when Pope Francis came into office. I believe that Pope Francis saw as his mission to continue the Second Vatican Council, the Council that called the laity to be an active, not only 'participant,' but 'member,' with all the rights due to baptism, that every person in the Church has. That was not so well known. [...] Certainly in this Dicastery [Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life], and in several other Dicasteries, the laity are very prominent. In this Dicastery, the ordained ministers are the least noticeable. [...] There are three priests in this dicastery out of 35. I happen to be Prefect, and, I don't know, but can imagine I may have the distinct honor of being the last cleric to be the Prefect of this Dicastery.

Pope Francis was a pontiff who knew how to speak to the heart of humanity with the strength of simplicity, reminding us that the Creator of Heaven and Earth is not distant from our frailties, but walks with us.

I like highlighting a specific charism of this theologian pope: his ability to communicate important issues of the faith in a language accessible to all the Christian people. This specific characteristic makes the most of the spiritual and cultural training of this Pontiff and is also a particular gift for all believers, who look to the Pope so they may feel steadfast and directed in their faith, and that happens when the Christian people hear words accessible to all.

A chapter in the history of the Church has come to a close. When it comes to his pontificate, opinions vary. There is unanimous appreciation for Francis' commitment to migrants, the poor and overcoming divisions between the centre and the periphery; on the other hand, however, he has been somewhat ambiguous at times, for example when he spoke to Eugenio Scalfari about resurrection. With Pope Benedict XVI, we had perfect theological clarity, but everyone has their own charisma and abilities, and I think Pope Francis had more of these in the social sphere.

Pope Francis is a man of great pastoral ability of strong faith, a man of prayer and very close to the priests, the elderly, the poor, and above all, a man who emphasized the missionary commitment of the Church in our community and in our city. The election is a joy and a huge gift.

Dopo i grandi tempi di San Giovanni Paolo II, che ci ha dato una visione di Chiesa universale capace di abbattere muri, e dopo Benedetto XVI, che ci ha parlato di Dio in modo profondo e accessibile, papa Francesco ha offerto una sintesi di queste due visioni. Credo che non si possa non proseguire su questa linea. Tuttavia, ogni Papa interpreta con originalità il mandato di Pietro, ascoltando i confratelli riuniti in Conclave, che portano le esperienze delle loro Chiese e culture. [...] Il nuovo pontefice dovrà rafforzare l'unità della Chiesa. Intensificare le relazioni ecumeniche e il dialogo interreligioso. E poi, c'è la metodologia: la Chiesa ha camminato su un binario di sinodalità, della collegialità e di valorizzazione delle conferenze episcopali. Credo che questa strada vada consolidata. Il nuovo papa è chiamato a camminare in mezzo al suo popolo, però tenendo presente le realtà di chi sta avanti, di chi sta dietro. E di chi sta a destra e a sinistra.

I am certain that every pontiff brings with him his personal qualities but I also believe the role can shape the person. The Pope will continue to preach the teachings of the Church and, as one of the architects of Vatican II, he will strive to spread the message of Christ and the joy, happiness and dynamism which come with it.

It will be a pontificate in continuity with the magisterium of Pope Francis. I am very happy about that. This is what the majority of the cardinals wanted ... but with a style of their own. [...] Pope Leo XIV, in his first message, spoke of a “synodal Church.” Having participated in the work of the Synod, we have a Pope who knows synodality, who understands it, who dares to be synodal. There will not be a revolution, but an evolution.