When the White Smoke Clears: A Guide to the Early Days of Pope Leo XIV
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Jeff Cavins
Dr. Edward Sri
Fr. Josh Johnson
Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio
and other trusted Catholic Voices
ISBN 9798892760997
eISBN 9798892761000
ASIN B0FJMK956B
When Pope Leo Xiv was elected soon a long list of forthcoming books was available. I picked a few I was interested in. This was one of them, though it was the one with the furthers out publication date on that first list. I have now read a few volumes on Pope Leo XIV and one volume of his work collected from homilies, addresses and letters from prior to his election. This one along with Leo XIV The New Pope and Catholic Reform by Christopher R. Altieri would be my two favourites to date. . And I can state it is an excellent volume, one once I will likely return to and read again, I am planning on reading it during Advent this year and again during Lent next year.
The description of the book states:
“What happens when white smoke rises over St. Peter’s Square? The election of a new Holy Father is more than a historic event—it’s an invitation for Catholics to rediscover the heart of the papacy: its biblical foundations, its spiritual authority, the hope it brings the faithful, and our shared responsibility to pray for the pope as our universal pastor.
In this timely and accessible book, leading Catholic teachers and evangelists offer three key reflections:
• Why the papacy matters: What the Church teaches about the office of the pope
• Who Pope Leo XIV is: Insights into his life, his first words, and his early priorities
• How to support him: Practical ways to pray for, fast for, and faithfully follow our new Holy Father
• When the White Smoke Clears equips you to meet this pivotal moment in Church history with faith, clarity, and prayer.
This edition also includes:
• An appendix of traditional and contemporary prayers for the pope
• A glossary of key papal terms for quick reference
Photo used in the cover art by Francesco Sforza - Vatican Media © Vatican Pool/Getty Images 2025. Used with permission.”
The chapters and sections in this volume are:
Preface
Introduction - Fr. Francis J. Caponi, OSA
Part I: Pope Leo XIV: The Man and the Office
1. Called by Name: From Chicago to Rome - The Ascension Team
2. Ordinary Made Extraordinary: Trusting God’s Plan - Fr. Mike Schmitz
3. Father, Fisherman, and Shepherd: The Office of the Pope - Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio
Part II: The Mission of Pope Leo XIV
4. What’s in a Name? The Legacy of Leo XIII - Dr. Michael A. Dauphinais
5. Five Questions That Reveal Pope Leo’s Heart - Jeff Cavins
6. Son of Augustine: The Spiritual Roots of Pope Leo XIV - Ashley and John Noronha
7. “Look to Christ!”: 6 Key Themes of Pope Leo’s Vision for the Church - Dr. Edward Sri
Part III: Supporting Pope Leo XIV
8. Beyond the Media Storm: Navigating Papal Coverage Wisely - Katie Prejean McGrady
9. Your Hidden Role in Pope Leo XIV’s Mission - Fr. Josh Johnson
10. For Our Holy Father: A Catholic Prayer Companion
11. A Glossary of Papal Terms
I highlighted a number of passages while reading this volume. Some of them are:
“A s members of the Ascension team watched the white smoke rise from the Sistine Chapel chimney, we excitedly awaited the announcement of who our new pope would be. When Cardinal Mamberti stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and proclaimed the name of the man chosen by the College of Cardinals, we were stunned, like most of the world, to learn that an American had been elected to the Chair of Peter.”
“When the White Smoke Clears does not attempt to predict the future of Leo XIV’s papacy or offer a comprehensive analysis of his teachings. It is neither an exhaustive biography nor a definitive account of his vision for the Church. Pope Leo XIV continues to reveal himself to us daily through his words and actions, and it would be presumptuous to predict what his legacy will someday be. Instead, this collection of reflections by several Ascension collaborators offers something we believe is more immediately valuable: spiritual wisdom for how Catholics can receive, understand, and support our new Holy Father. Drawing from Scripture, Church teaching, and the witness of saints, our contributors—theologians, parish priests, media professionals, and lay Catholics—write not just as experts in their fields but as fellow believers seeking to understand and respond to God’s plan for this moment in the Church’s life.”
“Above all, though, is the sense we have that the Spirit has matched the man to the moment. As a priest, missionary, provincial, prior general, and bishop, Robert Prevost has been forged by a life of servant-leadership. We praise God that his hand has been on the man he has chosen.”
“In contrast, the authors of these essays are fluent in faith and perceptive in observation, and they introduce us to Leo in the best way possible—by meeting him on his own terms. Prayers and practices in support of Leo are presented. Vital concepts are explained, and important contexts are clarified. In these essays by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Dr. Edward Sri, Katie Prejean McGrady, and other experienced guides, readers will find a well-informed and readable guide to these early days of the new pope.”
“The election of Robert Francis Prevost to the papacy on May 8, 2025, marks a new chapter in the continuing story of the Church and of its role in bringing people to Christ. It is also the next chapter in Pope Leo XIV’s own story, written by God since his infancy. This Augustinian friar’s journey to the Chair of Peter reveals how God prepares his beloved children through a lifetime of experiences, relationships, and choices that seem, in retrospect, to point toward a greater purpose.”
“Those who knew Padre Roberto describe a man of infectious humor balanced by serious purpose. Seminary students remember his jokes and laughter but also his academic standards—he would not hesitate to dismiss students who violated the honor code. Local priests recall his willingness to speak out against injustices, from government corruption to the neglect of flood victims.”
“Throughout every stage of Fr. Prevost’s ministry, his Augustinian identity remained central to his approach. Those who lived and worked with him during this time described his efforts to build community as a way of life. Whether back with the brothers in the Augustinian housing or out in the streets, ministering to the people, he was always seeking ways to love and serve those around him.”
“The breadth of this experience—shepherding an international religious order, understanding diverse cultures, navigating complex administrative challenges—was forming Fr. Prevost for an even greater pastoral responsibility none could have imagined at the time.”
“Such is the power of the one, true Church. Over the centuries, it has managed to thrive and continuously draw more people in as they search for meaning and peace in a world that is fallen. By embracing the Church that Christ founded to help nourish and guide our souls through the stormy seas of life, we all can become something far greater than ourselves. It is in this hope that we are made strong enough to persevere through hardship and embrace callings far grander than we could have imagined.”
“Pope Leo XIV’s path from Chicago to the Chair of Peter reminds us that God often works in unexpected ways. Who would have predicted that a boy from the south side of Chicago would one day lead the universal Church? Yet through a lifetime of saying yes to God’s invitations, Robert Prevost was prepared for this ultimate service.”
“The role of the pope was not invented by some Church committee as an afterthought. It was established by Christ himself, when he conferred it upon Peter. It is an essential part of God’s plan to continue shepherding and fathering his people. Understanding this helps us see why our relationship with the Holy Father connects directly to our relationship with God as Father and with Jesus as the Good Shepherd.”
“Over the course of his papacy, he may make a statement or take an action that we disagree with. When this happens, we must have the humility to recognize that we do not understand the whole situation. There is a gap in our understanding. We need to fill that gap with trust.”
“First, pray for the pope every day. The weight of leadership he carries is immense. Every day, he must make decisions that affect the lives of over a billion Catholics worldwide. He needs our prayers for wisdom, courage, and strength. Make it a habit to include Pope Leo XIV in your daily prayers—perhaps during grace before meals or as part of your nightly examination of conscience.”
“So, let us welcome Pope Leo XIV with open hearts and minds. Let us pray for him daily. Let us listen attentively to his teaching. And let us allow the Holy Spirit to work through his ministry to challenge and transform us—so that together with him, we can become saints.”
“The pope can also make definitive judgments about matters closely related to faith and morals, such as what is necessary for the valid celebration of the sacraments or whether the witness of Scripture and Tradition allow for women to be ordained to the priesthood. When the successor of Peter makes such a definitive judgment, Catholics are no longer free to debate the issue.”
“So the Holy Father feeds the family of God through teaching expressed in a variety of ways—in homilies; in addresses to pilgrims, prelates, and heads of states; in apostolic letters and in encyclicals, among other types of documents. Catholics must receive such ordinary papal teaching with “religious submission of mind and will.” 24 This means that we always approach every teaching with gratitude and respect, doing our best to open our minds to it and allow our views and lives to be shaped by it.”
“Holiness is part of the Church’s very essence, just as being one, catholic (“ universal”), and apostolic are part of its essence. Everything about the Church is ordered toward bringing all of its members, including the pope, to the heights of holiness, even in this life.”
“The call to be a disciple of Christ and a member of the Church is a call to become a saint. The pope’s call to lead the Church, then, is a call to lead himself and all Christians along the path toward sanctity.”
“The pope is a father who is also a brother. His mission is to lead the Church along the same path to heaven that he himself is walking. As Pope Leo XIV said in his inaugural homily, “I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.””
“The Gospel of Christ renews those who accept it and try to live it. Leo XIII reminded his flock that this is exactly what happened as civilization grew under the Church. From the medieval Church came universities, hospitals, scientific institutions, legal principles such as being innocent until proven guilty, and recognition of each person’s duties and worth.”
“Each of these popes understood that earthly existence is not our final goal. We will never fully overcome sin and death in this life. Only Christ offers the salvation we truly need—eternal life with the Holy Trinity and all the saints.”
“Finally, as Jesus taught through questions, and as Pope Leo XIV has challenged us through the questions in his first homily, let us take some time to answer these five questions ourselves. Perhaps we will come to know the heart of Pope Leo better if we allow the Lord to form us as well.”
“We pray for Pope Leo XIV to draw the faithful back to the Liturgy and the sacraments in continuity with St. Augustine, who realized that without supernatural grace, it is impossible to please God and live a life of virtue.”
“Let’s look at the following six key themes that emerged in various addresses and homilies he gave in the first eleven days of his pontificate—from his first blessing on the loggia “to the city and to the world” to his inauguration Mass homily in St. Peter’s Square. Additional themes certainly could be chosen, but it is my hope that exploring these six topics that our new Holy Father discussed multiple times in his opening days will help dispose us to receive his spiritual leadership and respond more deeply to how God might be guiding us through him.”
“One way Pope Leo says we can help build a culture of peace is through our choice of words—avoiding words of hatred and division. He says we can build peace “by eliminating pride and vindictiveness and carefully choosing our words.””
“The challenge we have to give ourselves in this first year of a Leonine pontificate is to actually get to know the Holy Father—what he says and what he does—free of the media storm and commentary that will try to tell us who he is and what he is going to do.”
“Pope Leo XIV is the earthly leader of the Church. He is the Vicar of Christ. The Church is alive at this moment under the guidance and leadership of this pope.”
“These holy women, St. Catherine, St. Thérèse, and Blessed Elena, show us how loving the Holy Father through prayer and fasting can bring about powerful fruits of peace, wisdom, strength, and conviction in his mission.”
“Pope Leo XIV is a man who understands and feels the weight of his mission. He needs our prayers. He needs our sacrifices. He needs us, all of us—lay people, consecrated virgins, religious sisters and brothers, seminarians, deacons, priests, and bishops—to pray on his behalf.”
“St. Augustine saw the Christian life as a pilgrimage toward God. Your prayers, united with those of the saints and the faithful throughout the world, become a powerful support for the pope on that pilgrimage of faith, sustaining him in his ministry and helping him lead the Church in holiness and unity.”
I hope those quotes give you a feel for this excellent volume. The prayers in the penultimate chapter are:
The Pope’s Monthly Intentions: What They Are and Why They Matter
Why Should We Pray for These Intentions?
Praying the Weekly Angelus with the Pope
Angelus
Regina Caeli
Prayers for Pope Leo XIV
Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to St. Joseph
Prayer of Pope Leo XIII for the Church
Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori to Our Lady, Queen of Heaven
Memorare
Prayer to the Holy Spirit for the Church
Petitions of St. Augustine
Prayer of Pope Leo XIII for the Holy Father
The Peace Prayer of St. Francis
Praying Scripture for the Pope
For Strength and Courage
For Wisdom and Guidance
A Church Sustained by Prayer
I am surprised the prayer on the Ascension Pope Leo XIV prayer card was not included in the volume. I have come to really believe how important it is to be praying for our Pope, Bishops and priests. The definitions section has 29 entries broken into 4 categories:
General Terms
Terms Related to the Papal Administration
The Pope’s Traditional Means of Communication
Papal Decrees
Official Titles of the Pope
This is an excellent volume. I am familiar with almost all the contributors. And have read numerous volumes by a few of them. This book was a great balance of looking at how Pope Leo XIV got here, what we can interpret from his first addresses and homilies, and most importantly about our praying for and supporting him in his role as leader of Catholics world wide.
A few things in this volume took me by surprise. It does an good job capturing the state of the church, and what must be top of mind for Pope Leo XIV. Many of which I can related to and appreciate. I feel I did not pray enough for either of the previous pontiff’s but am trying to remedy that by praying for Pope Leo a few times a day. And this volume really reinforced that intention.
The greatest strength of this volume is the range of voices, decisional priests, religious priests, men, women, married couple, theologians, and biblical scholars. Each brings something different, each looks at the Pope and his pontificate through a different lens, but much like a phoropter in an optometrists office, by layering the lenses we achieve the clearest picture. And that clear picture is built from history, both ancient and modern, from a look at the love before he was elected pope, and from the institutions and roles that shaped him.
This is an excellent volume that I can easily recommend for any Catholic, or anyone interested in Pope Leo XIV at the beginning of his pontificate.
Pope Leo XIV Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy - Christopher White
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