According to Arise News, the appointment of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history, has taken many by surprise — including Archbishop Michael Crotty, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria.
Reflecting on the moment white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, Archbishop Crotty admitted, “For me personally, it was a surprise. I was not expecting him.”
He emphasized that Cardinal Robert Prevost’s name had not featured prominently in media speculation ahead of the conclave, denoting how unpredictable the process can be.
Speaking on Arise News, Archbishop Crotty recalled how the cardinals, though familiar with one another, often reach unexpected outcomes. “Conclaves sometimes give great surprises,” he said, drawing a parallel with Pope Francis’ own surprise election 12 years earlier.
He noted that the new pope’s selection came faster than anticipated, possibly even a ballot earlier than during Francis’ conclave.
Despite not knowing Pope Leo XIV personally, Crotty offered insights into his background. A former missionary in Peru, the new pope had only been in Rome for less than two years before his election and was made a cardinal as recently as September 2023.
His short tenure and limited public profile only added to the unexpected nature of his rise.
The new pontiff’s choice of language during his first address — Italian, Spanish, and Latin — also ignited interest. While some questioned why he didn’t speak English, Crotty dismissed the concern, explaining that past popes also addressed the Church in languages other than their native tongues. What stood out to him instead was Leo XIV’s focus on peace, inclusion, and missionary outreach — values that mirror the legacy of Pope Francis.
Crotty also speculated that Pope Leo XIV’s name may signal continuity with Pope Leo XIII, known for pioneering Catholic social teaching. The full reasoning, he said, would become clearer in the days to come.
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