Ann,

I’m sure your inbox has simply exploded in recent days, but I just finished Episode 225 and wanted to send over a sincere thank you or the work that you’ve been doing – especially recently. I’ve been incredibly heartened at your sober analysis through it all. Like you, I was dismayed when I heard the name announced, but immediately began to check myself due to the grace of state that seems like it may be with him. Some of the stories and links that have come out since the putative election have me wondering whether Prevost played the long game as a “yes man”, and may potentially be good at heart. It’s simply too early to know (and the merits of that approach in general could be discussed at a later time).

I do however think we may be on track for a prediction that came from a conversation with a dear priest friend prior to the Conclave: that a known lefty is chosen, but we see with great certainty what is in-bounds in terms of what the Lord allows. Many may have to watch in shock as he governs as Pope differently from how he thought and acted as Priest, Bishop, and Cardinal. Paul VI was awful in MANY ways… but he still promulgated Humane Vitae (of course written by Ottaviani). I also think of the stories that Louis de Montfort recounts in The Glories of Mary, where the demons of one possessed are compelled against their wills at the mere touch of a Rosary to extol the glory and excellence of Our Lady. I mean, we’re talking about a Faith that starts from the Incarnate Word of the Father rising from the dead. In terms of the miraculous, Prevost playing the long game and outsmarting the fags wouldn’t even be all that impressive.

We may be about to be put through a refresher course on Vatican I.

I have also been disheartened and nearly scandalized by the kneejerk and uncompromising blackpilling that has come from some commentators who I used to follow. I’m as far from a Pollyanna as you can get, but I think many people have let The Fwanciss take faith in the supernatural out of their Supernatural Faith. I have been trying to come up with the right words for this since the election, but I’ve struggled to find a way to say it that doesn’t sound like the prayer of the Pharisee (Luke 18: 10-14).

I think there has been a beaten dog syndrome that has set in among trads of good will due to holding the false base premise that The Fwanciss had the keys. That’s the most charitable way I can put it. For those blackpilling, I’d simply ask them: if you look at the men who were going to do the electing, what did you expect? If it was Tagle or Parolin who was chosen I’d understand it, but I think some are utterly delusional. I think some got caught up in false hopes for a Chuck Norris Trad who would have denounced all before him on the loggia upon his election. I think a lot of people need to read or reread the Old Testament. Divine Intervention and Providence often looks nothing like our expectations or desires. Also, the Lord has made a LOT out of those MUCH WORSE than someone who did some corporate retweets of The Current Thing while it was still the current thing.

In reference to Leo’s brother posting some spicy political takes: Whether Leo agrees with him or not, it at least shows me that even if they disagree, there’s no chance that Leo will act and speak as if he’s never heard from someone from the Right. For things that are not de fide, we can disagree, but as long as people don’t speak to me as a caricature we can make progress towards truth.

I was also relieved to hear Leo described as quiet and with words that suggest a potential introvert. I’ve grown incredibly weary at those who took their cues from The Fwanciss and spoke down about contemplatives and those who are in any way introverted in nature as if it were a moral defect to be so.

One final note, I too have been pondering how the visibility of the situation will be made manifest – Dubia or otherwise. It struck me that Leo could use his personal luuuv for Ukraine to call for the consecration of Russia (and Russia alone) to the Immaculate Heart. Tactically, it could be played along the terms of Russia-bashing that is The Current Thing, and thus call on all Bishops of the world to join in with him in the seeking of Peace (regardless of his personal feelings on the matter of the previous false attempts at consecration). Yet another way for God to make use of flawed men to accomplish His Will.

As a young man who continues to desire the priesthood, I’ve been in a bit of a holding pattern since The Fwanciss came on the scene, and have in prayer found myself praying for $40k and a Conclave in order to pursue my vocation free from both student loans and from the persecution that comes from seeking the priesthood as – you know – a Catholic. That sense of relief talked about in the episode washed over me the moment I saw from your blog that The Fwanciss had died. Instant relief.

Now as ever, we do the duty of our state in life while waiting to be awed by the Divine Providence.

With prayers for your holiness,

R