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Shepherd Unknown: Trusting God with the Next Pope

·330 words·2 mins
St. Peter's Basilica

It’s a solemn and emotional time for the Catholic Church. With the passing of Pope Francis, many of us are left feeling a mix of sadness, uncertainty, and deep reflection. I find myself constantly praying—for the soul of the Pope, for the Church he led, and for whatever comes next in this sacred journey we all share.

Social Media

Unsurprisingly, the news and social media feeds are filled with speculation about who the next Pope might be. People are posting their thoughts, backing certain candidates, and sharing what they hope the future of the Church will look like. You can really sense how invested people are—not just in a name, but in a vision, a direction, a hope.

White Dove

And I get it. It’s not wrong to have someone in mind. I do, too. It’s part of caring deeply about the Church and wanting a leader who reflects what we believe is good and true. But moments like this call us to go beyond ourselves—to step back and reflect.

The Cross

We must remember: the Church doesn’t belong to any one person or group. It belongs to God. Just as we belong to God. The process of choosing the next Pope isn’t a political race. It’s a sacred moment.

Heaven

Before we pray, “Lord, let this person become the next Pope,” maybe we should first say, “Lord, you know all hearts. You see beyond what we can see. Let your will be done.” It’s not about silencing our hopes—it’s about placing them in the right hands.

church

This moment is a test of our faith, but also an invitation to humility. Let’s not allow division or personal preferences to overshadow what this is truly about. Let’s trust that God, in His infinite wisdom, knows exactly what the Church needs—even if it surprises us.

Light from Above

So to all my fellow Catholics out there, this is just a little reminder: stay grounded, stay prayerful, and stay humble. The road ahead may be uncertain, but our faith never has to be.