Santosh Ekka OFM
I was one of the few people who had the grace to attend many Eucharistic celebrations and
public audiences of Pope Francis. Whenever there was a public address by the Pope in St.
Peter’s square, people of different faiths, languages, castes, colours, and nationalities would
gather to catch a glimpse of him, listen to his message, and receive the papal blessing. His
public appearance was always welcomed with loud shouts of “Papa Francesco!” followed
by pin-drop silence. Then he would begin the liturgical greetings.
His message was never high-sounding dogsamatic theology, but rather simple reflections
that were applicable to all. Ordinary people could easily understand them. Yet at times, his
message was direct and firm. People loved to hear him—as many of us did, too. Whenever
he spoke, there would be a hushed silence, and when the speech ended, thunderous
applause. All the messages of Pope Francis were deeply touching, each carrying a clear
message.
However, after attending a few audiences, what impressed me the most were his final
words. Since the moment he stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on March 13,
2013, Pope Francis has consistently ended his speeches, homilies, and personal
interactions with a simple but profound request: “Do not forget to pray for me.”
St. Monica once asked her son Augustine to remember her at the altar of the Lord, meaning
to pray for her while he celebrated the Eucharist. This was a central part of her final
request. I am not sure whether Pope Francis was directly inspired by St. Monica, but what
stands out is that he asks everyone to pray for him. This phrase, always delivered with
heartfelt sincerity, captures the essence of his papacy—humility, humanity, and a deep
sense of spiritual solidarity.
A Personal Touch in a Global Role: For a man who leads over a billion Catholics
worldwide, Pope Francis’s request is disarmingly intimate. Rather than seeking praise,
recognition, obedience, or even understanding, he asks for prayer—a deeply personal act
that transcends borders, languages, faiths, genders, ideologies, and cultures. It reflects the
virtue of humility and reminds us that, despite his position, he too is a person in need of
grace, support, and divine guidance.
In an age of increasingly centralized power—both religious and political—this repeated
appeal reveals a leader who views himself not as a ruler, but as a fellow traveler in the
journey of faith. It echoes the very first moments of his papacy, when he bowed before the
people in St. Peter’s Square and asked them to pray for him before he gave his blessing—a
reversal of expectations that set the tone for everything that followed.
The Theology Behind the Request: At its core, the Pope’s request taps into a deeply
Catholic understanding of prayer as a communal and intercessory act. Catholics believe in
the power of praying for others—not merely as a symbolic gesture, but as an act that
genuinely opens the door for grace and transformation.
When Pope Francis asks for prayers, he acknowledges his own vulnerability and humanity.
As the head of the Catholic Church, he does not pretend to be spotless or superhuman.
Rather, he accepts his weaknesses. It is an act of humility that reaffirms a core Christian
truth: no one is spiritually self-sufficient. Even the Pope—the Bishop of Rome and
successor of St. Peter—must rely on the spiritual support of others. This echoes the words
of St. Paul, who often asked early Christian communities to pray for him. In 2 Corinthians
1:11, Paul asked the Corinthians to pray for him so they could give thanks to God on his
behalf. In Colossians 4:3-4, he asked for prayers so that God would open a door for him to
proclaim the gospel. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, Paul asked for prayers that he and his team
might preach freely and be delivered from opposition. By echoing this ancient appeal, Pope
Francis places himself firmly within the tradition of servant leadership.
A Recurrent Theme of Pope Francis’s Papacy: The humility behind this phrase is not a
performance or a search for sympathy—it is consistent with the themes that have shaped
his papacy. Since becoming Pope, Francis has focused on mercy, service, and solidarity with
the poor, marginalized, and ostracized. He has urged Church leaders to “go to the
peripheries” and “smell like the sheep.”
Whether visiting slums, washing the feet of prisoners, or speaking out against war and
environmental degradation, Pope Francis consistently presents himself not as a figure
above others, but beside them.
In asking for prayer, he does not seek comfort or admiration. He invites a shared sense of
responsibility. His request is a call to unity—reminding us that the Church is strongest
when all its members support one another, especially through prayer.
The Power of Simplicity: “Do not forget to pray for me” is a simple sentence, but it carries
immense weight. It breaks down the barriers between the papacy and the pews, creating a
personal connection with each listener—and, by extension, with the broader Church.
At a time when institutions often feel distant and unresponsive, Francis’s words feel like a
breath of sincerity. They remind us that even those in the highest spiritual offices need
help, and that we are all bound together by a shared need for prayer, compassion, and
grace.
Pope Francis’s frequent request—“Do not forget to pray for me”—may seem small
compared to his broader efforts to reform the Church or address global crises. But in many
ways, it encapsulates the very heart of his papacy. It reveals a man deeply aware of his
limitations, firmly rooted in faith, and passionately committed to walking with others, not
above them.
Perhaps this is his way of living out the vision of a synodal Church. Whether one is Catholic
or not, believer or skeptic, this humble refrain serves as a gentle reminder: no one is
beyond the need for prayer, and no prayer is too small to matter.
sanekkaofm@gmail.com
