Considering Pope Francis’ debilitating health issues, my mind always goes back to when his papacy was announced to the world. When the crowd finally quieted after he made his entrance on the balcony, the smiling Jesuit from Argentina humbly said, “Brothers and sisters, good evening. You all know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get him. But here we are.”
Then, in an unprecedented move, he asked the crowd to pray for him. When that moment of silence ended, he invited Catholics on a journey with him—one of love, of prayer, and of brotherhood. It was a new day. The flock had a new shepherd.
—from Franciscan Media’s “Pope Francis: From Argentina to the World“
by Christopher Heffron
