Tura/Shillong, May 9: Catholic communities of Tura, Shillong, and across Meghalaya erupted in celebration late Thursday night as church bells pealed through the darkness, announcing the historic election of Pope Leo XIV—in what is dubbed oneof the fastest papal conclaves in decades.
At just before 11 PM, the resonant chimes from churches across the Garo and Khasi-Jaintia Hills signaled the end of an unexpectedly swift conclave in Rome, where cardinals elected the new pontiff in just four rounds of voting. The white smoke curling from the Sistine Chapel chimney marked a decisive moment of unity for the Catholic Church, with Pope Leo XIV succeeding his predecessor, Francis, in record time.
“We were glued to the TV since Wednesday, watching the voting unfold. After two inconclusive rounds, we braced for days of waiting—then came the surprise!” said an overjoyed Catholic couple from Tura’s Sacred Heart Shrine neighborhood. “When the bells rang out at night, we knew—our new Holy Father had been chosen.”
The jubilation echoed from urban centers to remote villages. In the Garo Hills, bells tolled at St. Luke’s Church (Walbakgre), St. Mary’s (Araimile), Sacred Heart Shrine (Tura Chandmari), Cathedral Church (RC Road), Sacred Heart Church in Williamnagar, as well as in smaller communities like Baghmara, Mangsang, and Siju in South Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, in Shillong, the Cathedral Church (Laitumkhrah) and St. John’s Church (Laban) joined parishes across the city in the chorus of celebration.
Special Church services are expected to take place on Friday morning across Catholic denominations in the state.
