I should have known this would happen, but I never considered it. And now it’s time to say good bye to Pope Francis. I have spent quite a bit of time watching other people’s tributes to him. I couldn’t imagine how they could say anything so soon, but of course they aren’t writing blogs on their own schedule. They have editors, managers, and advisors. But their tributes were helpful. I’ll link them at the end.
Today, I realized that during Francis’ entire papacy I felt like I was publishing articles in a friendly world, or at least that I had a reader who was interested in my well-being. I wonder if I will every write anything again without feeling that loss.
Pope Francis Braved the Rage of his Critics When He Encouraged Progressives
The first time I ever became aware of Francis was when he made a pubic statement using the same words I had written in my last article. I had been making suggestions for changes we could make in this country, but what I didn’t say was that I feared the forces and entanglements behind the scenes in our government. When Francis repeated my words it was such a relief. I felt gratitude and hope. For a while anything seemed possible.
But of course, using the Church’s social teachings to support us was bound to bring resistance. I’m sure he knew how difficult it would be but he walked into the arena in our behalf and in behalf of his own people. Francis, armed with the teachings of his church and his order, fought until he couldn’t fight any more. Then he fought to stay with us a little longer.
When he left the hospital, I thought he would spend time recovering from the physical punishment he underwent to recover from his illness. But instead, he left the seclusion of his residence to see and bless people. Once he was not even wearing his papal vestments. He was dressed like a grandfather.
Francis allowed himself to be seen as a frail old man. In those times we saw a man without guile and wearing his heart on his sleeve.
Francis was the Pope and he was a fighter. He was also a dear old man.
He will be missed.
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