Bishop Emeritus of Konongo-Mampong, Most Rev. Joseph Osei Bonsu, has urged the incoming pontiff to remain grounded in the essential values of the Catholic Church and resist external pressure to conform to ideological labels.
The world awaits the first public appearance of the newly elected Pope.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Thursday, Most Rev. Osei Bonsu advised the new pope to be measured in his words and actions, aware that every statement from the papacy is scrutinised globally.
“You’re Pope, and so whatever you say people will look at critically, and so he has to be right in what he says,” he noted.
He cautioned that the new pontiff would likely face early characterisations as either “too liberal” or “too conservative,” but encouraged him to remain authentic and focused.
“We hope he can be himself and do the right thing,” he said, adding “He has to reach out to those who don’t agree with him.”
His remarks come as thousands of faithful continue to gather at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, where white smoke from the Sistine Chapel signaled the election of the new pope following days of conclave deliberations by 133 cardinals from around the world.
With the formal announcement of the new spiritual leader imminent, global attention now turns to what direction he will steer the Church in a world grappling with change, division, and renewed calls for reform.
