A year after the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Stephen Brislin still speaks about the experience with awe, humility and deep gratitude. For the Archbishop of Johannesburg, being among the 133 cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave that elected the Holy Father remains one of the most profound spiritual moments of his life.
An unforgettable Conclave
Reflecting during an interview marking the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election, Cardinal Brislin described the conclave as “an absolutely unforgettable experience”, one that words could scarcely capture. He recalled the weight of responsibility felt by the cardinals as the doors of the Sistine Chapel closed behind them in May 2025 and the reality dawned that they were tasked with electing the spiritual leader of more than 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.
“It was a deeply spiritual process,” Cardinal Brislin explained, emphasising that the conclave was not merely a political or administrative exercise, but an act of prayer and discernment guided by the Holy Spirit. He said the cardinals were constantly aware of God’s presence throughout the election process and conscious of their duty to remain faithful to the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ.
A demanding year for the Cardinal
For Cardinal Brislin, the journey to the conclave itself came during an exceptionally demanding season of his ministry. Having only recently arrived in Johannesburg, he had also taken over the presidency of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference while simultaneously serving as administrator of the Archdiocese of Cape Town. Added to this was the responsibility of being a relatively new cardinal. Then came the death of Pope Francis and the preparations for the conclave.
“It was a very hectic year,” he reflected, noting how rapidly events unfolded in the Church and in his own life.
Before the conclave officially began, all the cardinals spent nearly two weeks in general congregations discussing the state of the Church and the world. According to Cardinal Brislin, these conversations focused on the challenges facing Catholics globally and the qualities needed in the next successor of Saint Peter.
“We become very conscious of the fact that what we were doing goes right back to the beginnings of the Catholic Church,” he said, adding that the election was not simply about replacing Pope Francis, but about discerning who should continue the mission entrusted to Saint Peter by Christ Himself.
Robert Prevost ticked all the boxes
As the discussions unfolded and voting began, Cardinal Brislin said the name of Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, gradually emerged in a way that felt natural and Spirit-led rather than politically orchestrated.
“It wasn’t decided beforehand,” he said. “This name just emerged.”
Cardinal Brislin added that Pope Leo XIV’s diverse pastoral and cultural experience made him an ideal candidate for the modern Church. Born in the United States, the future pope possessed a firsthand understanding of the developed world. Yet he had also spent much of his priestly ministry in South America, giving him insight into the struggles and realities of the developing world. His work in Rome within the Dicastery for Bishops, combined with his leadership of the Augustinian order and his multilingual abilities, convinced Cardinal Brislin that “all the boxes had been ticked.”
“He’s a person with this wide experience and a global view of the Church,” Cardinal Brislin said.
Although Cardinal Brislin and Pope Leo XIV were elevated to the College of Cardinals in the same year in September 2023, he admitted that he did not know him personally before the conclave. Yet his impression of the future pope was immediate and lasting.
“He’s a person of very deep spirituality, a very holy person,” Cardinal Brislin said, describing Pope Leo XIV as humble, approachable and someone who listens attentively to others.
Memories of Pope Leo’s Election
One of the moments that remains etched in Cardinal Brislin’s memory is the newly elected pope’s appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. The cardinal recalled the Holy Father greeting the world with the words, “Peace be with you,” while visibly carrying the emotional weight of the office he had just accepted.
The expression on Pope Leo XIV’s face reflected a mixture of humility, fear, joy and acceptance, a moment witnessed by millions across the world.
The archbishop of Johannesburg also explained that, after a cardinal is elected pope, he is formally asked whether he accepts the role. While the elected cardinal does have the freedom to decline, acceptance is usually made in obedience to God and for the good of the Church.
Another cherished memory for Cardinal Brislin was concelebrating Mass with Pope Leo XIV on the morning after the election. He described the liturgy as a beautiful and deeply moving experience.
“He spoke so beautifully and so simply,” Cardinal Brislin recalled.
As an English-speaking cardinal, he admitted there was also something personally meaningful about hearing a pope begin his homily in English. While acknowledging that Pope Leo XIV belongs to the universal Church and speaks several languages fluently, Cardinal Brislin said hearing English spoken so naturally from the Chair of Peter felt especially close to home.
His encounters with the Holy Father did not end there. During the pallium Mass in June 2025, Cardinal Brislin was one of the two concelebrants at the main altar of St Peter’s Basilica, another moment he described as “incredible”.
Pope of Peace
As president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Brislin also offered a heartfelt message of solidarity and support to Pope Leo XIV on behalf of Catholics in Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa.
“We love you very, very deeply,” he said warmly.
He praised the pope for courageously preaching peace despite criticism from various quarters and assured him that the Church in Southern Africa stands firmly beside him.
“We stand by you in solidarity and we promise that we too will work for peace among people,” Cardinal Brislin said.
One year after the historic conclave, Cardinal Brislin’s reflections reveal not only the gravity of electing a pope, but also the deeply personal and spiritual impact the experience has had on him. From the solemn silence of the Sistine Chapel to the joy of seeing Pope Leo XIV greet the world for the first time, the Johannesburg archbishop continues to carry the memory with reverence and gratitude, and we, the church in Southern Africa, are humbled to reflect this historic moment with him.
