logo
Cardinal Nichols: I never dreamt I would be choosing the Pope

Cardinal Nichols: I never dreamt I would be choosing the Pope

BBC News24-04-2025

The leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales has said he never thought he would have the "intimidating" duty of voting for Pope Francis's successor.Cardinals can only vote until they turn 80, which is just a few months away for Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, who was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2014.Merseyside-born Cardinal Nichols exclusively told BBC North West he thought it was "going to pass me by [until] a couple of months ago when he was seriously ill". The archbishop said he remembered thinking to himself: "Oh Lord, this is going to come my way."He said he had "put it to the back of my mind" again until Pope Francis died, aged 88, on Monday.
Cardinal Nichols, who leads six million Roman Catholics in England and Wales, said he "never thought I would [be voting] because [Pope Francis] didn't show many signs of slowing down" and appeared to be recovering from double pneumonia.The 79-year-old archbishop, who was born in Crosby, said he had met Pope Francis several times during high-level meetings in Rome.He said he had two abiding special memories."One particularly has never left me," said the cardinal. "He said to me: 'From the moment of my election as Pope, my peace has never left me'."Despite the pressure of all he has to deal with, he has lived close to God."Cardinal Nichols also said he had fond memories of their last meeting two years ago.He said an author had asked him to give a copy of their latest book to Pope Francis."I gave him the book and said the author was 'very keen that you might have this'. "He came back after lunch with a handwritten card and a copy of one of his own books for me to give as a return gift - that was quite astonishing."
Less than two weeks after Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday, Archbishop Nichols and the 134 other cardinals from around the world who are eligible to vote for the 267th pontiff will gather at the Vatican.They will meet in the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo's fresco The Last Judgement to choose the man who will lead the world's estimated 1.4 billion Catholics."It is quite intimidating frankly," he told BBC North West."I know I have got to get myself together and be a little nuanced to all the political manoeuvring and Paddy Power's bets and all that and say 'Actually, this is a group of men trying to discern the will of God. "That's the only thing that matters."Archbishop Nichols said he believed he and his fellow cardinals would "do our best work once the doors of the conclave have been shut and there will be a peace and a prayerfulness between us".When it was pointed out that the new Pope will not require a return ticket once the white smoke emerges, Archbishop Nichols was very quick to play down his own chances."I'm coming home," he said. "You can be sure of that!"
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Boy, 9, died trying to escape abuse at Fife school as family make 'cover-up' claim
Boy, 9, died trying to escape abuse at Fife school as family make 'cover-up' claim

The Courier

time6 hours ago

  • The Courier

Boy, 9, died trying to escape abuse at Fife school as family make 'cover-up' claim

The brother of a nine-year-old boy who died while trying to escape a Fife residential school has accused the UK Government of a cover-up. The youngster was knocked down and killed as police chased him along the M90 in April 1972. It was the 13th time the boy had run away from Corsbie Hall, in Thornton, amid claims of horrific abuse. A Fife MP later claimed the school could be part of 'a major education scandal'. However, Secretary of State for Scotland Gordon Campbell rejected calls for an inquiry. The family of the youngster who died told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry they were astonished at Lord Campbell of Croy's reaction. They claim documents suggest the secretary of state and George Taylor-Bryant, Corsbie Hall's headteacher, were friends. Francis, the boy's brother, said: 'They've airbrushed everything out of existence and it will come back to haunt them. 'My reaction is it's a cover-up.' Corsbie Hall was located in the old Thornton Fever Hospital, near Glenrothes, from 1970 to 1972. The inquiry heard children were regularly beaten, starved and forced to take cold showers at the school for 'mentally and socially disturbed pupils'. And Margaret Thatcher, education secretary at the time, stopped English youngsters from attending. The nine-year-old boy who died cannot be named due to legal restrictions. However, the inquiry heard he was removed from his Stirling home against his family's wishes because was dyslexic. Francis and sister Sharon, both pseudonyms, said their brother complained of being locked in a cupboard in just his pants almost every night. He spoke of being hit with sticks, refused food and forced to scrub floors and carry rocks. Then, in a letter home, the youngster told how he had run away 12 times but promised not to do it again. However, Sharon said: 'He ran away one more time and that's when he was killed.' The youngster's death had a devastating impact on his family and many years later they started looking for answers. They discovered Parliamentary records which show Fife Labour MP Willie Hamilton pushed several times for an official inquiry into Corsbie Hall. He said the situation was 'extremely unsatisfactory'. However, a letter from the secretary of state described their brother running away as 'no more than a boyish escapade'. And Lord Campbell, who died in 2005 aged 83, said: 'No blame can be attached to the school.' He later accused Mr Hamilton of 'being a little hard on the school', adding: 'I don't think an inquiry will serve any useful purpose.' The records show Corsbie Hall headteacher Mr Taylor-Bryant had no teaching or childcare qualifications. They also revealed one of the teachers had previously been charged with sexual offences against children.

Bishop of Derry: ‘I had very difficult times trying to bring comfort to victims of violence and their families… These people were the real heroes'
Bishop of Derry: ‘I had very difficult times trying to bring comfort to victims of violence and their families… These people were the real heroes'

Belfast Telegraph

time3 days ago

  • Belfast Telegraph

Bishop of Derry: ‘I had very difficult times trying to bring comfort to victims of violence and their families… These people were the real heroes'

Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph ahead of a service in St Columb's Cathedral on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of his consecration as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe in 1975, he said: 'This is one of the most touching invitations of my career and it has brought back so many memories of the vast changes in church life and politics during the last half-century.' Robin Eames, now in his 89th year, came to Derry as bishop when he was only 37. At his Consecration in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh he invited the Catholic Bishop of Derry Edward Daly to walk with him down the aisle. 'I believe that this was the first time it happened. I wanted to show that he and I were friends, and that I was holding out the hand of friendship to the whole Catholic community in Derry.' Lord Eames also made a point of visiting the homes of people in the Bogside. 'This was to let them know that I was not their enemy and that I wanted to understand their feelings. During one of the first meetings a man opened the door, shook my hand and said 'Welcome to Derry, my name is John Hume'. We met frequently afterwards and he always impressed me greatly.' After five years in Derry, Eames became Bishop of Down and Dromore. 'The divisions in Belfast were deeper than in Derry, and the attitudes had hardened. These were some of the worst years of the Troubles,' he said. 'My experience in Derry had taught me much about bridge-building and I received great warmth and support from all sides in that city. In Belfast I got on well with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor Cahal Daly, and the relationships between all the main Churches improved greatly.' In 1986 Eames became Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, a post which he held until his retirement in 2006. He worked closely with Catholic Primates Tomas O'Fiach, Cahal Daly, and Sean Brady. 'I always related to them as human beings and not only as senior Church figures. I asked them to take me as I am, and they did the same for me. Our friendships helped us through some very testing situations. It was a privilege to work with them.' One of the most difficult challenges he faced as Archbishop was the prolonged stand-off at Drumcree between residents and members of the Orange Order which led to widespread violence. 'I received many demands, particularly from the Irish Republic, to close the Drumcree parish church, but I could not shut a building where people from all backgrounds came to worship. I was severely criticized, which was personally hurtful, but closing the church was something I could not do in all conscience. "I deeply regret that the Drumcree dispute lasted so long and showed the world the deep divisions in our community. However, I believe it was the right decision to keep the church open.' In 2009 Lord Eames and the former Catholic priest Denis Bradley produced their report for the Consultative Group on the Past which was shelved amid controversy over its recommendations. 'Obviously I was disappointed but if people look at the small print it still has the seeds of a solution to our divisions. A former Northern Ireland Secretary told me if he had accepted the report it would have prevented what took place later on.' Robin Eames also travelled the world as a clerical trouble-shooter dealing with major issues facing the Anglican Communion. 'I was sent by Archbishop Robert Runcie, and my experience in Derry helped me build bridges that would last. I became friends with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who once stayed in our home in Armagh. We shared many of the same problems in Northern Ireland and South Africa as prisoners of our past.' Lord Eames also played a key role behind the scenes in the creation of the 1993 Downing Street Declaration which, he believes, formed the path towards the Good Friday Agreement. 'I had the highest regard for Sir John Major and Albert Reynolds who played such a major part in producing the Declaration.' He has also been a cross-bencher in the Lords since his retirement as Archbishop, something he says has taught him that basic understanding of 'Englishness' and 'Irishness' has been 'one of the root causes of a great many problems between the two parts of the UK'. Lord Eames has served as chairman of some of the Anglican Communion's most important Commissions. He has received numerous awards, and is a member of the Order of Merit — a very special honour bestowed on him personally by the late Queen Elizabeth . It is confined to a maximum of 24 people, and the current members include Sir David Attenborough and the artist David Hockney Badly injured in a fall last year, Lord Eames is making a steady recovery, and reflected on the past and present. 'There have been so many changes in all the churches but for me the basic message and challenge of Christianity remain the same.' 'I had very difficult times in my ministry trying to comfort victims of violence and their families, and sometimes I am still overwhelmed when I recall how bad it all was. Yet I also remember those who impressed us with their courage and faith from the depths of adversity. 'I was with Gordon and Joan Wilson on the day their daughter Marie was killed in the Enniskillen bomb. Their Christianity and example in dealing with that immense personal tragedy was an inspiration to all of us, and they were not the only ones. They are real heroes. 'I look back on my life and praise God for giving me strength to minister to all sorts of people. I also pay tribute to my wife Christine who has been a tower of strength to me throughout my ministry. I have so much for which to be thankful.'

‘I had very difficult times trying to bring comfort to victims of violence and their families … These people were the real heroes'
‘I had very difficult times trying to bring comfort to victims of violence and their families … These people were the real heroes'

Belfast Telegraph

time4 days ago

  • Belfast Telegraph

‘I had very difficult times trying to bring comfort to victims of violence and their families … These people were the real heroes'

Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph ahead of a service in St Columb's Cathedral on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of his consecration as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe in 1975, he said: 'This is one of the most touching invitations of my career and it has brought back so many memories of the vast changes in church life and politics during the last half-century.' Robin Eames, now in his 89th year, came to Derry as bishop when he was only 37. At his Consecration in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh he invited the Catholic Bishop of Derry Edward Daly to walk with him down the aisle. 'I believe that this was the first time it happened. I wanted to show that he and I were friends, and that I was holding out the hand of friendship to the whole Catholic community in Derry.' Lord Eames also made a point of visiting the homes of people in the Bogside. 'This was to let them know that I was not their enemy and that I wanted to understand their feelings. During one of the first meetings a man opened the door, shook my hand and said 'Welcome to Derry, my name is John Hume'. We met frequently afterwards and he always impressed me greatly.' After five years in Derry, Eames became Bishop of Down and Dromore. 'The divisions in Belfast were deeper than in Derry, and the attitudes had hardened. These were some of the worst years of the Troubles,' he said. 'My experience in Derry had taught me much about bridge-building and I received great warmth and support from all sides in that city. In Belfast I got on well with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor Cahal Daly, and the relationships between all the main Churches improved greatly.' In 1986 Eames became Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, a post which he held until his retirement in 2006. He worked closely with Catholic Primates Tomas O'Fiach, Cahal Daly, and Sean Brady. 'I always related to them as human beings and not only as senior Church figures. I asked them to take me as I am, and they did the same for me. Our friendships helped us through some very testing situations. It was a privilege to work with them.' One of the most difficult challenges he faced as Archbishop was the prolonged stand-off at Drumcree between residents and members of the Orange Order which led to widespread violence. 'I received many demands, particularly from the Irish Republic, to close the Drumcree parish church, but I could not shut a building where people from all backgrounds came to worship. I was severely criticized, which was personally hurtful, but closing the church was something I could not do in all conscience. "I deeply regret that the Drumcree dispute lasted so long and showed the world the deep divisions in our community. However, I believe it was the right decision to keep the church open.' In 2009 Lord Eames and the former Catholic priest Denis Bradley produced their report for the Consultative Group on the Past which was shelved amid controversy over its recommendations. 'Obviously I was disappointed but if people look at the small print it still has the seeds of a solution to our divisions. A former Northern Ireland Secretary told me if he had accepted the report it would have prevented what took place later on.' Robin Eames also travelled the world as a clerical trouble-shooter dealing with major issues facing the Anglican Communion. 'I was sent by Archbishop Robert Runcie, and my experience in Derry helped me build bridges that would last. I became friends with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who once stayed in our home in Armagh. We shared many of the same problems in Northern Ireland and South Africa as prisoners of our past.' Lord Eames also played a key role behind the scenes in the creation of the 1993 Downing Street Declaration which, he believes, formed the path towards the Good Friday Agreement. 'I had the highest regard for Sir John Major and Albert Reynolds who played such a major part in producing the Declaration.' He has also been a cross-bencher in the Lords since his retirement as Archbishop, something he says has taught him that basic understanding of 'Englishness' and 'Irishness' has been 'one of the root causes of a great many problems between the two parts of the UK'. Lord Eames has served as chairman of some of the Anglican Communion's most important Commissions. He has received numerous awards, and is a member of the Order of Merit — a very special honour bestowed on him personally by the late Queen Elizabeth . It is confined to a maximum of 24 people, and the current members include Sir David Attenborough and the artist David Hockney Badly injured in a fall last year, Lord Eames is making a steady recovery, and reflected on the past and present. 'There have been so many changes in all the churches but for me the basic message and challenge of Christianity remain the same.' 'I had very difficult times in my ministry trying to comfort victims of violence and their families, and sometimes I am still overwhelmed when I recall how bad it all was. Yet I also remember those who impressed us with their courage and faith from the depths of adversity. 'I was with Gordon and Joan Wilson on the day their daughter Marie was killed in the Enniskillen bomb. Their Christianity and example in dealing with that immense personal tragedy was an inspiration to all of us, and they were not the only ones. They are real heroes. 'I look back on my life and praise God for giving me strength to minister to all sorts of people. I also pay tribute to my wife Christine who has been a tower of strength to me throughout my ministry. I have so much for which to be thankful.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store