ISTANBUL, Turkey (RNS) — While returning from his first apostolic visit to Turkey and Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first press conference aboard the papal flight on Tuesday (Dec. 2), offering insight into his impressions and feelings after becoming pope.
The pope quipped that he had thought about retiring before he realized the cardinals were going to elect him as the new pope on May 8. “I resigned myself to the fact when I saw how things were going, and I said that this could be a reality. I took a deep breath, and I said, ‘Here we go, Lord, you’re in charge, you lead the way,’” Leo said.
While he admitted his face is very expressive, he cautioned journalists who might try to use it to interpret his thoughts and feelings. They are “not always correct,” he said.
If people want to know what guides the pope’s thoughts, he said, it’s his trust in God.
“In the midst of great challenge, living in Peru during years of terrorism, being called to several places where I never thought I would be called to serve to … I trust in God, and that message is something that I share with all people,” he said.
The new pope, who turned 70 in September, …