Father Przemysław Śliwiński about Pope Leon XIV: originally he thought about choosing a different name

The fourth voting shows that Cardinal Robert Prevost was a favorite from the beginning – said priest Przemysław Śliwiński, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Warsaw in “Facts after Facts” on TVN24, asked about the course of the conclave. He also told what name Leon XIV was originally considering.

On Sunday there will be a solemn mass inaugurating the pontificate of Pope Leon XIV. According to preliminary estimates, about 250,000 people and 200 official delegations will take part in it. The mass will take place in Saint Peter's Square on a special anniversary – 105th birthday John Paul II.

The three most repeated words of Leon XIV

Father Przemysław Śliwiński, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Warsaw, author of the book “Conclave. Secrets of papal elections”, said on Saturday in “Facts after Facts” on TVN24 that he analyzed the words of the first speeches of the new Pope. He pointed out “the three most important, most often repeated words.” – The first is “peace”, the second is “Church”, but the third word is the most interesting: “between or between” – said the priest.

Śliwiński also spoke the name that the new pope chose. As he reminded, commentators point out that “this is a continuation, a reference to Leon XIII, the fundamental encyclical of Rerum Novarum, which initiated Catholic social science.” – This is the voice of the church. (…) Catholic social science fulfills the function, initiated by Leon XIII. This is an invitation to dialogue on important social topics, burning topics – explained Father Śliwiński.

– Leon XIII said that (…) nor the state is able to solve certain problems, nor the Church is able to solve certain problems. We need to solve them together. Together to participate in dialogue, not as a Catholic Church among believers, but as a side – he said.

He added that “Pope Leon XIV by choosing the name proposes to all the great of this world, all social parties: we have a lot of problems that need to be solved wisely.”

Father Śliwiński: The fourth vote shows that Prevost was a favorite

Father Przemysław Śliwiński was also asked about the course of the conclave. In his opinion, “the fourth voting shows that the Cardinal (Robert) Prevost was a favorite from the beginning.”

The remark that he was not on the strict media papabili list, he emphasized that “the conclave is an event (full) of surprises.” – There are no rules there. The rule is a surprise – he said.

When asked, after what time we will find out how the cardinals voted, he replied that “we will not find out, because this is a secret that even cardinals do not know.” “Everyone only knows about themselves,” he emphasized.

But, as he said, some secrets were revealed. – For example, a wonderful story about the fact that Pope Leon XIV originally thought about choosing the name Augustine, which would be very interesting, because it would be the first such name (among the popes – ed.). A reference to Saint Augustine, a great doctor of the Church, a great man who inspires today – said the guest of “Facts after facts” on TVN24.

Learn more:

Tvn24