Today, with great sadness, we learned of the death of Pope Francis. He left us early… on Easter Monday morning. His last gestures were significant: the meeting with prisoners, the meeting with the Vice President of the United States, his last blessing on Easter Sunday and his last passage in St. Peter’s Square, touching newborns and people. He celebrated his Easter – in the Francis way and he made his Easter – in the octave of Easter…
I had the opportunity to be in St. Peter’s Square on the day of his election, March 13, 2013. I could see all the smoke coming out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Arriving for the afternoon session of the conclave, I noticed a white seagull that had landed on the chimney. That image went around the world. The afternoon gave way to night, with a light rain that made umbrellas compete for every inch in front of the Vatican balcony. Until someone shouted: “White smoke!” At first, you couldn’t make out much, until a jet of white smoke came out. And the wait… who could it be?
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, with a very weak voice, made the traditional announcement: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus Papam!,” but left many in the square in doubt… However, everyone heard: Franciscus . I was near a group of young Italians and one of them exclaimed: “Francesco, a name like ours!”. But there was still uncertainty about who he was. Then someone said: “He is the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires.”
And the bells rang, time passed, the crowd gathered, and the light rain gave way to a starry sky. And then the man came out, a little shy, all dressed in white, without the traditional papal robes, and greeted everyone:
“Brothers and sisters, good evening!” (followed by loud applause from the crowd).
“You know that the task of the conclave was to give Rome a bishop. It seems that my brother cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to find him, but here we are… I thank you for the welcome. The diocesan community of Rome has its bishop. Thank you very much. First of all, I would like to say a prayer for our bishop emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for him; may the Lord bless him, and the Virgin protect him.”
Together with him the whole crowd and the cardinals recited the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Gloria, and he continued:
“And now let us begin this journey, bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which presides in charity over all the Churches. A journey of brotherhood, of love, of trust among us. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the entire world, so that there may be great brotherhood. I hope that this journey of the Church that we begin today, and in which my Cardinal Vicar here present will help me, may be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city.”
As he proceeded to the blessing, he said: “Now I would like to impart the blessing, but first I would like to ask you a favor. Before the bishop blesses the people, I ask you to pray to the Lord to bless me. The prayer of the people, asking for the blessing for their bishop. Let us recite this prayer for me in silence.”
There was about 20 seconds of deep silence throughout St. Peter’s Square. A feather falling could have made a noise…
The new successor of Peter imparted the blessing, granting plenary indulgence to all. Before giving the blessing, he said again: “Then I will give the blessing to you and to the whole world. To all men and women of good will.”
After the blessing, the crowd cheered, and he continued:
“Brothers and sisters, I greet you. Thank you very much for your welcome. Pray for me. See you soon! Tomorrow, I want to go and pray to Our Lady, so that she may protect all of Rome. Good night and rest.”
On October 1, 2022, during the XXVI General Chapter of the Congregation, we had an audience with him, who spoke spontaneously to our hearts. Before leaving, he said to all of us: “Well, I thank you for what you do in the Church, seriously. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” To my predecessor, Father Michael Brehl, Pope Francis said: “I thank you for your thirteen years here… Surviving in Rome is not easy! Thank you.” And to me: “And to you, when it costs you a little, a little cachaça to cheer you up. (Laughter) . I had the grace of having four significant meetings with him.
If we reread Francis’ message, we see that he was consistent until the end. He was tireless in his desire for a welcoming Church, even if at times many did not understand him. He did not want to be a perfect Pope; he allowed his contradictions to emerge, to show that he had physical pain, that he suffered with the people. The great are not afraid to be human, welcoming, and merciful. And he worked for this until the last day…
Certainly, like the disciples after the death of Jesus, we feel a little lost. But the Holy Spirit, who is harmony, as he always reminded us, guides the Church and gives us hope.
Thank you, Pope Francis, for pushing the Church out of its comfort zone and welcoming the “different” through synodality. Intercede from heaven so that we have a new good, hopeful and synodal Pope who, like Jesus, has compassion for the world, but sees it as God’s work of redemption and as a place where human beings can be happy.
Thank you, Pope Francis, for everything and forever! “ Spes non confundit ,” “hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5).
Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R.
Superior General
Original: Spanish
