Fermanagh man at Vatican gives backing to Pope Leo

A LOCAL priest, who holds a prestigious role at the Vatican, has said there’s been “a rollercoaster of emotions from sadness to great rejoicing” in Rome following the appointment of Pope Leo XIV.
In January, Monsignor Enda Murphy from Derrylin was appointed as a ‘Domestic Chaplain to His Holiness’ by Pope Francis. He worked closely with the pontiff until his passing on Easter Monday.
On Thursday evening, Pope Leo XIV was elected as the successor to the late Pope Francis, with thousands of people turning out to St Peter’s Square as the American made his first appearance.
“It has been a rollercoaster of emotions from sadness to great rejoicing. It’s been very interesting and a great privilege to be here to share in it,” Monsignor Enda Murphy told the ‘Herald.
“We knew that Pope Francis was ill but it was still a shock to the system when he died. We then had the influx of all the people who were here for the funeral and then the initial mourning.
“We had the waiting, the Cardinals all gathering and the process of the Conclave and the wonderful release of it all when the white smoke appeared above the Sistine Chapel.
“It was wonderful to be here, it was wonderful to behold all of that joy among the people who had rushed to St Peter’s Square, the moment the news got around the city about the new Pope.”
Through his work at the Vatican, the Fermanagh cleric met Cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo, on many occasions. He feels that he is “going to be well capable” of the position.
“He has been working in the Roman Curia for over two years. Pope Francis brought him here to take over the department that looks after appointing bishops around the world,” said Fr Murphy.
“His office is in the same building that I work in. He used to work in the floor above me. I would often bump into him when we were either going to work or leaving, on the stairs or in the lift.
“I think he’s going to be well capable of it. He is a man of stamina and I think he will be able to take it in his stride. He has got a great advantage in that he can speak several languages.”
Fr Murphy feels that the American-born Pope Leo XIV will help the Roman Catholic Church grow and navigate its way through difficult challenges, as well as building on Pope Francis’ legacy.
“Pope Leo has already said as much,” said the Derrylin cleric.
“After he was elected, he met with the Cardinals. He said he was going to continue in the line that has been traced from Vatican Council and has been so well laid out by Pope Francis.
“He made it clear there’s going to be continuity with the direction the church has been travelling.”
Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration will take place at St Peter’s Square on Sunday (May 18).
The Fermanagh priest said it’s ‘certainly my hope’ to be in attendance at the historic occasion.