As a confirmation teacher throughout Pope Francis’ pontificate, I would have youth make homemade greeting cards for him each Christmas. He always sent an official thank-you card back, and I would make copies of his responses for our teens. It meant so much that he received their best wishes and extended his prayers for them.

I’d like to share three encounters I had with him and why Pope Francis will always have a unique place in my heart.

July 2013 - Rio de Janeiro

It was the night of the pope’s arrival at World Youth Day (WYD) that July, and millions of people filled the streets of Rio. The area had high security because of political unrest. Francis was a new pope, but he instantly caught the attention of young people with his authenticity. As the first pope from the Americas, I saw a deep connection with Spanish-speaking churches throughout the world. They knew they were understood, and they were not confused by his words.

While departing in his vehicle to leave the area where he greeted all WYD pilgrims, he made a last-minute change in direction toward our group from Greenville and Fort Mill. He rode right by us, smiled and waved. We were close enough to shake his hand if the car had moved slower. I remember seeing his smile and joy.

His message to the Church, especially the youth, was: “Go, do not be afraid, and serve … Evangelization in our time will only take place as a result of contagious joy.”

March 2015 - Rome

The second major encounter happened in 2015. My sister and I had just returned from a powerful trip to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France and arrived in Rome. We heard from workers that they were preparing for a private visit from the pope after Easter. I remembered hearing reports about health issues and thought that Lourdes could be a place of healing for Pope Francis.

We were early that day and had good seats in St. Peter’s Square. It rained during the Easter Mass, but at the time of consecration the sun came out brightly. Feeling the need to go back to the hotel and change out of our wet clothes, my sister and I began our exit. I was suddenly stopped by a seminarian who spoke directly to me in English with a strong accent. “You must not leave now. The pope will give the Urbi et Orbi [to the city and to the world] blessing and then drive through the square. Stay here with us, and he will pass by this area,” he said.

We obeyed as if it was St. Rafael speaking to us.

The blessing was given from the altar and we were glad we had not missed it. I wanted to believe the seminarian but I also knew from our WYD Brazil trip that this pope could change his planned path. I didn’t get my hopes up. Then, suddenly I saw his path was leading right by us. I was filled with so much excitement. Would I be able to make eye contact again and shake his hand?

As the popemobile moved closer, I had an instantaneous thought: “Pope Francis is sick and needs to be encouraged to go to Lourdes” — but how would I send that message? I had a scarf around my neck that I purchased there with the word “Lourdes” on it. I had visited the grotto daily to make sure the scarf was imbued with those healing waters.

I began taking off the scarf, but slowly, because it was hard to part with it. I knew he needed it more, though, so I balled it up and threw it at least 20 feet. It opened up like the wings of an eagle and landed gracefully on his arm. He lifted the scarf into the air and smiled. That moment is forever carved into my memory. I felt in some small way Our Lady of Lourdes used me to reach Pope Francis.

“Gospel preaching is born from gratuitousness … and what I have received freely I must give freely” (Pope Francis, June 2013).

April 2025 - Holy Week

The last encounter happened this Holy Week and through Easter Monday. It was not a physical encounter, but a spiritual one. On Tuesday of Holy Week, I began my own road to Calvary with pancreatitis. Throughout that week and after my surgeries, I was reminded to offer my suffering up for friends and families. Pope Francis was included in my list, but I had no idea how much he needed that grace.

I wanted to be well enough to leave the hospital by Easter Sunday but it did not happen. The disappointment of not being able to attend Mass, then celebrate a meal with my family, was so difficult. But, I know that suffering continues to have purpose. I received the news of Pope Francis’ death an hour before I received the news that I was being released to go home. My emotions were in many directions.

The lesson I learned is that we must pray for one another — not only when things are going wrong, but always. We need grace and strength to be Christ in the world.

As he reminded us in his Urbi et Orbi blessing this Easter: “Sisters and brothers, especially those of you experiencing pain and sorrow, your silent cry has been heard, and your tears have been counted; no one of them has been lost.”

Thank you, Pope Francis, for these last words of comfort.