When Smoke Rises: What the New Pope Reminded Me in Rural Montana
When Pope Leo XIV—an American from Chicago—was elected, white smoke rose over Rome. But here in Montana, leadership looks different: calloused hands, early mornings, oil rigs, birth rooms, and quiet choices that ripple far. This reflection draws powerful lessons from the conclave to the countryside, reminding us that leadership isn’t about robes—it’s about showing up.