Kommetjie resident honours new pope with symbolic hike
Kommetjie resident Jason Scott marks the election of Pope Leo XIV with a symbolic hike up Kommetjie Mountain, carrying the Vatican flag.
Image: Supplied
As Catholics around the world welcomed Pope Leo XIV following his election on Thursday, May 8, one resident marked the moment in a deeply personal way — by hiking up Kommetjie Mountain with a Vatican City flag in hand.
Jason Scott, 21, a Kommetjie-based Catholic writer and contributing author to The Southern Cross Magazine, made the solitary ascent on Friday May 9 as a tribute to the newly elected pope.
Born Cardinal Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV is the 267th pontiff and the first to be born in the United States.
Mr Scott described the hike as a symbolic act of devotion and reflection.
“This solitary ascent, set against the vast Atlantic horizon, quietly reflects a commitment to enduring values,” said Mr Scott. “It recalls the shared ties that bind communities of faith across generations through meaningful action.”
He shared his thoughts on the election, noting that over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide are celebrating the appointment of the new pope. According to Mr Scott, the occasion resonates not only with Catholics but also with many Christians, as the pope serves as a unifying voice on matters of faith, morality, and global compassion.
In the False Bay area, churches joined in the celebration with prayer vigils and services, echoing the global response seen at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
“As we await Pope Leo XIV’s vision for the church, let us hold fast to this unity,” said Mr Scott. Quoting St Thomas More, he added: “Ordinary acts are of more importance than they seem.”