By Christopher Khoo
SINGAPORE — The Straits Times daily newspaper of Singapore on June 8 released a video interview of Cardinal William Goh on his first experience voting for a Pope in a conclave. In the interview, the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore shares his thoughts about the event and also compares it with the movie, Conclave.
ST: Were there any surprising moments for you?
Cardinal Goh: Yes, that Pope Leo was elected. It is really a mystery of God’s hand at work. Some people are curious as to exactly how the election of the pope takes place. And perhaps, I think it could have been propelled by the movie, Conclave, you know.
ST: Your Eminence, you are the first Singaporean cardinal to be part of the conclave to elect a new pope. Can you tell us about your experience?
Cardinal Goh: It was a beautiful experience. But I think it was a moment in which I felt that – for us cardinals – the whole weight of the world was upon our shoulders to elect the pope that is the best for humanity and for the Church. And so, it was a great responsibility.
So the most important part of the whole election of the pope was actually the nine days of meeting [before the conclave] – that was the most important part.
And also the interactions, informal interactions, sharings between the cardinals, among the cardinals, whether during breaks or at night, during informal dinners, where we got to know each other, where we got to hear each other’s views and the challenges.
The most solemn part would be the conclave itself – that one is done with a very sacred atmosphere. So actually, it was not just an election; it was a sacred moment.
ST: Were there any surprising moments for you?
Cardinal Goh: Surprising moments – yes, that Pope Leo was elected. He was not one of the well-known figures or, we call it, a candidate for the papacy. I think not many people know him. Neither did the cardinals from the rest of the world, specially from Asia and Africa. So, it was a surprising choice that he was elected.
ST: The conclave is regarded as something that is monumental, sacred and involves a unique voting process. Why do you think it has intrigued so many people in the world?
Cardinal Goh: I suppose there is also this secrecy involved in the voting. The voting of a pope is unlike that of the world. It is not exactly a parliamentary approach to the election of a pope. Nobody will come up front and say: “Please choose me as the pope” or that “I’m the best person to lead the Church”. Nobody champions himself to be the pope. And I think most cardinals will not want to be pope, because it is a heavy responsibility.
It is really a martyrdom in itself. It’s really an act of faith because during the conclave itself – before we vote for the pope, and every time when we put in a vote, we have to swear before God that the person that we choose, that I choose, or the other person chooses, is really the person I think is the best person to be the successor of St Peter. It is really a mystery of God’s hand at work.
And perhaps, I think it could have been propelled by the movie, Conclave. Some people are curious as to exactly how the election of a pope takes place.
ST: Do you mind me asking if you watched the movie?
Cardinal Goh: Yes, I watched with my staff. The conclave that you watch in the movie is very sensational. Certain aspects of it are true, like we are not allowed to bring any digital devices, no recordings. And it’s very strict – very, very strict.
But all the other parts – I think they’re over-exaggerated. Cardinals are not like what was being portrayed in the movie, as if we are trying to manipulate the situation, trying to lobby one group against the other group, having conferences at night, secret meetings – those things are not true at all.
But what is true, of course, is that the moment the conclave starts, we are very busy. We have the formal meetings, which we call the general congregations, where all the cardinals would meet in the “Aula” – we call it the hall actually.
So it’s important also to hear the cardinals speaking and sharing their challenges, because in the midst of this general congregation, the [future] pope is present. We do not know which one.
But I feel that the whole Conclave movie lacks a spiritual dimension. They forgot to mention the importance of prayer, the importance of the individual cardinals praying. I think that part is lacking. So it becomes a very political kind of movie.
ST: So, in summary, take the movie with a pinch of salt?
Cardinal Goh: Oh yes, yes. Of course – it’s dramatised, or else how do they make money?
ST: When deciding who to vote for, what were some of the things that you prayed for?
Cardinal Goh: Well, the pope that I felt was necessary for the world today is a pope that brings unity. Pope Leo has always been very clear about the teaching of the Church. Since he has taken office, I think he’s clear about where the Church’s stance is with respect to certain moral issues.
So I think that is needed. And, of course, Pope Leo must continue the work of Pope Francis – definitely.
ST: What was the moment like when then-Cardinal Prevost got the required number of votes to become pope?
Cardinal Goh: We all breathed a sigh of relief. But anyway, it was not totally unexpected because as the vote progressed – we know how a candidate is garnering more votes.
So more or less after two or three rounds, we know who are the people in the forefront. So then we know that eventually he will cross the two-thirds majority.
ST: Did you get to speak to Pope Leo when he got elected? Congratulate him?
Cardinal Goh: Of course, while we were all waiting after we had already certified that he had reached that majority, the two-thirds majority. During that time, we had a ceremony, a liturgical rite, to accept him as the Holy Father, and also to pray for him.
And then all of us took turns to show our respect for him and also to congratulate him.
ST: Your Eminence, were there any funny moments?
Cardinal Goh: Oh yes, because when Pope Leo was elected and he was meeting us the next day, we asked the Holy Father if he will have a consistory – a meeting of all the cardinals – at least once a year for a few days, so that we can know each other better. And so when the time comes to elect the next pope, we will be able to know who would be the best candidate to be the next pope.
And Pope Leo said: “Oh, I see you are already preparing for the next conclave.”
ST: With the late Pope Francis establishing that this is the Jubilee Year of Hope, what are some of your hopes for the Church and her people?
Cardinal Goh: My hope for Pope Leo is the same as for the Church, because Pope Leo represents the Church.
This pope is concerned with building peace. His Augustinian spirituality also emphasizes unity. And it will be great that Pope Leo will truly be a bridge builder, not just for Catholics alone, but for the whole of humanity.
Christopher Khoo, a Singapore-based freelance journalist and educator, based this article on the YouTube transcript of the interview. The full interview can be viewed at:
