As we awoke on Easter Monday, we learned of the death of Pope Francis, 88. Bells tolled in Rome to signal the loss. In Raleigh, it was the morning chirps of backyard birds as I considered the news.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, he was the first from Latin America. And he was the first Jesuit to serve in that role.
In 2013, at the time he became someone the world would know, he chose the name Francis for himself. That particular name was significant because the Jesuits and the Franciscans are religious orders in the Church known for distinct histories and different charisms.
With his very first choice as pope, he let the world see a humility it would come to know during the 12 years that followed. It was an inspiration to Father Thomas Simisky, S.J., who was a Jesuit scholastic in theology studies preparing for priestly ordination when Pope Francis began his papacy.
"[The] news came as a great shock, as it seemed inconceivable that a brother Jesuit could be elected pope," he told NC Catholics. "His example through these years very much inspired my priestly service, something I have tried to bring to St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Parish in Raleigh, where I have been pastor for the past three years. I know that I am a long ways from his holy example of faith, hope and love, but it is good to have a model to follow. Santo Subito!"
As a writer, I will remember the excitement of others about Pope Francis. In particular, there was one family of six on a colossal road trip in 2015. They were driving to the United States in a VW Kombi (bus) from their home country of Argentina, where the pope was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936. They were heading to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the papal visit and made a stop at Raleigh’s Sacred Heart [then] Cathedral to talk about the 13-country, six-month journey.
After the presentation, I met the couple’s young daughter Carmin as she twirled on the wood floors of the Cathedral School stage and dodged the pesky, thick theater curtains in her way. We didn’t speak the same language. But I will always remember her face when I asked whom she was going to see. She exclaimed “Papa Francisco” and smiled.
After that, her smile and exuberance came to mind almost every time I saw the pope’s face in a photo or read a story about him. Papa Francisco.
Recently I observed a meeting between Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama and 12 visiting high school students from Cardinal Gibbons. They noticed a picture of Pope Francis in the bishop’s office and had many questions about the pope and the bishop’s visit to him.
The bishop shared with the students that he felt moved to write a letter to the pope about someone he knew who was a victim of abuse. He sent the letter, he said, expecting nothing other than an opportunity to write his thoughts and share them with the Church’s leader. Instead he received an invitation for him and the person to visit the Vatican, where the pope apologized and listened.
The bishop shared with the students some of the details of that meeting as well as details of another meeting with several bishops. He recounted how the pope got up to pour a glass of water. As he poured the water, many assumed it was because he was thirsty. However, he promptly delivered the glass to the interpreter, the person in the room who was listening, interpreting and talking the entire conversation and likely couldn’t get up to get his own water.
In the days ahead, many stories of Pope Francis’ life will be shared and remembered. His impact will be felt and his presence missed.
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