When she made her plans to attend the Dominican Sisters International Confederation (DSIC) and the International Union of Superiors General (USIG) conferences in Rome this May, Sr. Pat Twohill, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, had no idea that she would be in the Holy City not only for the conclave to choose the successor to Pope Francis, who died on the first Monday of Easter, but that she would also witness history. After his election, Robert Cardinal Prevost, the first American Pope, took the name Leo XIV, greeting those in St. Peter's Square and worldwide with the words, "Peace be with you."
Sr. Pat was one of a group of Sisters who ABC News anchor David Muir interviewed during the first night of the conclave. She spoke of the love that she and other women religious had for the late Pope, and of her prayers for a good shepherd who would lead the Church with the same compassion for the poor. Click here to view the segment.
Sr. Pat tells us that Mass had just ended at the USIC Conference when white smoke rose from the Vatican chimney, signaling the election of the new Pope. Click here for a video of the Sisters at the DSIC responding to the joyful news.
Local media also contacted Sisters at the Dominican Sisters of Peace for their thoughts on the election of the new Pope. Sr. Pat Twohill was interviewed by ABC affiliate WSYX, and spoke of the importance of Pope Leo XIV's experience as a missionary. "He said, 'I will be a Pope for everyone. No exclusions.' He'll be a man of the Gospel - a Gospel for everyone in need."
Click here to read the story.
Click here to view her interview on the evening news.
Click here to view the extended interview on WSYX YouTube Channel, which includes additional information.
Click here to view Sr. Pat's segment on WTTE Fox 28.
Sr. Gemma Doll, speaking both in her capacity as a Sister and as a Board Member at Ohio Dominican University, was interviewed by NBC4. She said that she hopes he’ll continue to raise up the leadership of women in the church because she believes the church needs more women leaders. Before he was elected pope, Prevost had three women join him at a very high level, and they were granted votes on the selection of bishops in the world for the first time in history. Click here to read the story, and click here to view her interview.
To view the new Pope's first address and read a translation, click here.
