Bells pealed in many Churches, Catholic places of worship across Goa
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert F Prevost of the US, appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, May 8, 2025.
PANAJI
The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has rejoiced at the election of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected Supreme Pontiff, of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
At a number of Churches and Catholic places of worship across the State, bells were pealed at the sight of white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and announcement of Pope Leo XIV as the 267th Successor of Saint Peter.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, who is President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), but is also President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), is presently in Rome and had participated in the conclave to elect the new pope.
On Friday, Cardinal Ferrão and Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes, along with all faithful of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, extended their prayerful wishes and sentiments of filial devotion to Pope Leo XIV, as he begins his ministry of shepherding the Universal Catholic Church as the Successor of the Apostle St Peter.
“As a response to the Holy Father's first words, inviting the people to peace and dialogue and sharing God's love with all, without fear, we pledge our faithful obedience and support to the Vicar of Christ,” stated the archdiocese, in a statement released by Fr Barry Cardozo, director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media.
When contacted, Fr Socorro Mendes, parish priest at St Anthony’s Church in Siolim, said the Church bells were pealed on Friday exactly at 10.40 pm when Leo XIV came to the balcony to greet and bless the people gathered in St Peter's Square.
“On Friday morning, I offered a special Mass in thanksgiving for the New Pope,” said Fr Mendes.
Chicalim Parish Priest Fr Bolmax Pereira said the bells were pealed in Chicalim at the sight of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel,
“The bells were pealed first at Cloistered Carmel Convent, followed by the bells pealed at the St Francis Xavier Church,” said Fr Pereira.
“On Friday morning, the Holy Adoration was dedicated to the newly elected Pope. On Sunday morning, the Pro-Populi Mass at the parish will be offered as the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of the new Pope.”
“The new Pope, His Holiness Leo XIV, arrived carrying so many surprises. I am happy to know that he is expected to carry forward the legacy of progressive reforms and efforts by Pope Francis. In Pope Leo XIV, I wish to see a Shepherd with Strength of a Lion to lead the Church and world through the current crisis, ecological zeal to keep reforming and renewing and a champion of Social Justice in the world,” added Fr Pereira.
