"Never did it occur to me that what then happened would happen". With these words Pope Leo XIV recalled the surprise and deep emotion he felt at the moment of his election to the papal throne, during a meeting with a delegation of Peruvian faithful at the Vatican. "Since Pope Francis died," he explained, "that mechanism of long tradition in the Church, very beautiful, of the congregations first and the Conclave later, has begun. And once again I think our God of surprises has made a really big one this time". The Pontiff also wanted to share a personal memory dating back to 1998, when he was engaged in Trujillo, Peru: "I was professor, pastor, judicial vicar, director of studies and formator, all at the same time! At the end of that year I was elected provincial of the Augustinians and returned to Chicago. Shortly after, a nun said to me, 'Father Roberto, our God is a God of surprises, and one day he will give you another'. Prophetic words, weren’t they?" Pope Leo XIV then reviewed the last days of Pope Francis: "A month ago he was still alive. After his hospitalization, he seemed to get better. I met him personally, he was giving good signs. But already on Easter Sunday we realized that he was sick again. And as we know, on Monday he passed away". Finally, addressing those present with simplicity and spirituality, the Pope concluded, "As I also said as spiritual director, one must accept God's will. To put one's life in his hands and say, 'Here I am, Lord, I will do whatever you want me to do.' And in this spirit I am with you today”.