He exuded joy, was friendly and approachable, and showed a sincere interest in the world around him.
Lalitha Thomas SJT
Pope Francis passed away just as he lived, participating in the joyful celebration of
Jesus resurrection on Easter. Throughout his life, he shared a message of hope, leaving
it to us to continue that mission of hope.
Having journeyed closely with the Pope as a companion on our synodal journey, I am
overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.
God chose him as the shepherd of the Church,
entrusting him with the keys of mercy and compassion—a merciful reflection of the
Father. His gentle guidance inspires us to live more deeply in love and service.
With a trusting gaze on the people of God, Pope Francis began the synodal journey,
welcoming us to participate in consultation, dialogue, deliberations, and discernment in
the Holy Spirit.
I had the privilege of participating alongside him in the Synod on
Synodality at the Vatican, an experience that allowed me to meet the Holy Father in
person and hear his insights multiple times. His enduring presence fostered deep
encounters with Christ and left a profound impact on me. He was a simple, humble
man—affectionate, warm, and attentive.
Every time I saw him, I was reminded of his
Evangelii Gaudium, which encourages us to be joyful disciples. He exuded joy, was
friendly and approachable, and showed a sincere interest in the world around him.
In the Synod, Pope Francis, like other participants, was seated at a round table—a truly
inspiring gesture. I had several conversations with him, which were blessed moments
during my Synod experience.
Each encounter, from greeting to deeper conversation,
renewed and refreshed me, filling me with joy and wonder at the man of God he is.
The first time I greeted him, I spontaneously said, “I love you very much, Pope.” He
responded with childlike joy, embracing each of us as brother, friend, and Papa Francis.
He listened attentively and patiently. While people waited long hours in queues to catch
a glimpse of him, I was fortunate to spend a month in his presence.
What a joy that was!
Many times, I sat silently before him, yet he began conversations, asking about my
congregation and ministry. I truly see the face of Christ in him. His encouragement and
deep listening embodied a fathers love; we are indeed blessed.
I expressed gratitude for including women in the Synod, allowing us a voice and the
opportunity to vote. He acknowledged the role of women as missionaries, consistently
conveying the message,;Have courage, keep moving forward; This ignited a fire of
hope within me, inspiring me as a woman of hope to nurture a church that is inclusive,
participative, and open to everyone.
Pope Francis has instilled a new sense of what it means to be Church, transitioning from;We the Churc; to;We are the Church; a collaborative and co-responsible approach.
He has given a new face to the Church, identifying it as the Church of the poor. He hued
closely to the marginalized, the imprisoned, the abused, migrants, and refugees,
standing alongside them.
His simple, humble life is deeply human and approachable,
conveying palpable spiritual depth. His availability is evident in his punctuality and
readiness to greet and listen, fostering belonging, respect, and being heard.
His homilies are relevant, relatable—simple yet profoundly deep—bringing us closer to
God and encouraging personal encounters with Jesus.
Pope’s homily at the concluding
Mass on October 29, 2023, had a significant impact, emphasizing the mission of loving
God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). He urged us to channel this momentum through
adoration and service, reiterating that love is central to our being:;Let us adore the
Lord! Only in this way will we turn to Jesus, not ourselves; Silent adoration allows the
Word of God to live in our words, and in His presence, we are purified, transformed, and
renewed by the fire of His Spirit.
Pope Francis calls us to embrace synodality, fostering a vibrant, trusting, and
missionary Church in these changing times. This involves actively listening to the Holy
Spirit, working together, and recognizing the value of every individual within the
Church.
While we may have many ideas for reforming the Church, he taught us that the
great, perennial reform is to adore God and love our brothers and sisters with His love.
Our primary focus must be to refocus our gaze on God, becoming a Church that looks
mercifully upon humanity—being a worshipping Church and a Church of service,
washing the feet of wounded humanity, accompanying the frail and marginalized, and
lovingly encountering the poor.
It means building a civilization of love—united and
fraternal, listening and dialoguing, blessing and encouraging, welcoming and inclusive.
As a man of discernment, he taught us the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit and
to each other; the spirituality of listening is becoming a way of life. Through
conversation in the Spirit, he brought us together as friends able to sit around the table
as people of God.
I am deeply thankful for the collective dream we have embarked upon with this living
saint, who recognized the Spirits work and called us to be ambassadors of synodality.
The Synod was truly an extraordinary experience, with the Holy Spirit guiding us
toward unity. The Synod on Synodality stands as a tremendous gift to the Church under
Pope Franciss leadership.
This synodal journey invites all baptized individuals to
collaborate, share, and listen, voicing their hopes and dreams for the Church. The aim of
the synod was not to create documents but to sow dreams, foster trust, and kindle hope.
In essence, synodality represents the journey of Christians walking together with Christ
toward Gods Kingdom, in communion with all humanity.
Pope Francis has been a great pastor, spiritual guide, and friend. His humility and
compassion for the poor promote inclusion and social justice. He encouraged
interreligious dialogue and openness.
As a reformer, he focused on transparency and
accountability, inspiring closer relationships with God. His empathy is immense, and he
faced challenges with courage, sustaining a vision of an open and welcoming Church.
When I received the news about Pope Francis, I wept, feeling as though I had lost a
father. I miss him deeply.
During the second phase of the synod in October 2024, my
heart whispered that I might not see him again, which is why I sought every opportunity
to be close to him. My solace now comes from the knowledge that he is with God,
serving as a powerful intercessor for us in heaven. He was truly a shepherd who
“smelled like the sheep,” embodying the essence of a true shepherd in our time.
As I reflect on his Easter blessing, delivered despite his evident illness, it felt as though
he was bidding us farewell. What a life! Like Jesus, he loved us until the very end.
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with
your God” (Micah 6:8)? Dear Pope, you have shown us the way, your life stands as
testament to all. Pray that we be moved by an;endless desire to show mercy and
compassion; Thank you and Love You Pope Francis till we meet in heaven!!
lalithathomassjt@gmail.com
