Australian cardinal Mykola Bychok says conclave was the 'best time of my life'

Australia Broadcast Center

10-05-2025

It's only been six months since the late Pope Francis elevated Mykola Bychok to the position of cardinal, but he's already made history.
On Thursday, the 45-year-old was the youngest cardinal in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
He described the experience as unforgettable.
"Just only two times I experienced it like goose skin," Cardinal Bychok said.
"That was before the procession when we were going to the Sistine Chapel. And the second one, it was before the official announcement of the new pope," he said.
The Ukrainian-born, Melbourne-based cardinal appeared to have a weight lifted off his shoulders on Friday, in his first public appearance since the conclave.
Cardinal Bychok made jokes and beamed throughout the press conference, but still showed signs of his trademark shyness in the spotlight.
"It was difficult to imagine this experience more than half a year ago," Cardinal Bychok chuckled, sounding slightly stunned.
"I felt huge responsibility, not only for the next pope, but as well for the future of the Catholic Church."
The public will never know exactly who backed Pope Leo XIV, or why his election only took four rounds of voting.
Like all 133 voting cardinals, Cardinal Bychok took an oath of secrecy before the vote began.
While he was careful to keep it, he did shed some light on what went on behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel in the conclave that chose the 267th pope.
It was always going to be difficult for a cardinal sworn to secrecy to face a hungry press pack determined to get answers.
Before Cardinal Bychok appeared for Friday's press conference in Rome, his vicar-general, Father Simon Cjuk, issued a warning to journalists.
"Don't be asking things like, how many votes did so-and-so get? Because you're not going to get an answer," Father Cjuk said.
The vicar-general was good humoured but serious, making a comparison to private voting booths in Australian elections.
"It's sacrosanct, the anonymity," Father Cjuk said.
"And it's the same with elections for the Holy Father."
With that, he welcomed Cardinal Bychok to the microphone.
The second question was whether he voted for Pope Leo XIV.
While minders bristled, the cardinal answered without missing a beat.
"I support not only Pope Leo, but every cardinal by my prayer," he said with a smile.
When asked why the choice was made so quickly, Cardinal Bychok said the Holy Spirit worked in mysterious ways.
He described the moment the new pontiff stepped onto the balcony atop St Peter's Square as a "moment of truth."
The choice was a surprise for many — including inside the conclave.
"It wasn't expected as well for us cardinals, because I would like to repeat one more time, that was the work of the Holy Spirit," he said.
Cardinal Bychok was more forthright when pressed about the accuracy of the Conclave movie, released last year.
The cardinal confirmed he had watched it and joked it wasn't helpful ahead of his first conclave.
"Actually it was controversial, especially about prayer," he chuckled, as the room filled with laughter.
He denied there was any discussion about the film between cardinals during the actual conclave.
"You see, if we are living in reality, it's better staying (away) from movies, from artificial intelligence," he said, still laughing.
On a more serious note, the cardinal disagreed with its portrayal of political factions inside the conclave.
"The main task, not only cardinals, but as well priests, is to proclaim the word of God, not to be in this party or that party," he said.
There were definitely no cardinals watching the movie during the conclave, given the strict technology blackout.
Cardinal Bychok light-heartedly described it as "the best time of my life" and encouraged everyone to give it a go.
"Just try! Try to turn off your phone at least for 24 hours or at least — my phone was turned off for two and a half days," he laughed.
"Are there many messages?" a reporter asked.
"Yeah," he grinned.
"I still should read."
After the laughter died down, the cardinal got serious, saying the phone ban was helpful in gaining clarity.
"During the conclave I was completely in peace," Cardinal Bychok said.
"When you are locked up it's completely silence, what should I do?
"Just to take rosary and pray."
Still wearing his trademark black veil, the cardinal spoke from his temporary home at Domus Australia, a pilgrim guesthouse set up by the Catholic Church in Rome.
It's understood he will stay there until the inauguration, in nine days.
In the meantime, he plans to answer all those phone messages — but more importantly keep praying the new pope will deliver his goals of peace and unity.
He revealed each cardinal had the opportunity to speak with Pope Leo XIV after his election.
Cardinal Bychok told the new pontiff he would pray for his service.
"Not only to the Ukrainians, but also to the Australians," he said.