Welcoming Pope Leo XIV and the Fresh Flavors of Spring Ravioli ✨

Experiencing a New Papacy in St. Peter’s Square and a New Season in My Kitchen

What to expect in this week’s newsletter:

🇻🇦 A Front-Row Seat to History: The 2025 Conclave and the Rise of Pope Leo XIV

💚 plus my delicious recipe for Spring Ravioli: Stinging Nettle and Ricotta Filling with Spring Peas, Fava Beans & Asparagus

Spring Ravioli: Stinging Nettle and Ricotta Filling with Spring Peas, Fava Beans & Asparagus

A Front-Row Seat to History: The 2025 Conclave and the Rise of Pope Leo XIV

On a clear May afternoon in Rome, as bells rang out across the city and thousands of eyes turned skyward, a wisp of white smoke curling above the Sistine Chapel signaled something monumental: habemus papam. The Catholic Church had a new leader. But this time, I wasn’t watching from my home or catching the moment on television—I was there. In the thick of the crowd, shoulder to shoulder with pilgrims, Romans, clergy, and curious tourists, I experienced the ancient ritual of the papal conclave not as a distant observer but as a witness. And I can say with all sincerity: it was unforgettable.

The election of the first American pope—Leo XIV—is history in the making. But what’s more fascinating is the man himself, the context of his rise, and the modern intricacies woven into a centuries-old tradition. Let’s take a look at what made this conclave so extraordinary and who Pope Leo XIV truly is.

St Peter’s Square, Vatican City