Compassion seems out of style now. Pope Francis was compassionate enough to speak out whether it was popular or not. He asked, “What good can I do?” He was not afraid to speak to powerful men, and truly speak truth to power instead of cowering in fear (which I would probably do, let’s be honest— some people are just scary!). He lived his whole life for Jesus, and for whom Jesus loved. . . Poor people, people in jail, immigrants, women, etc. He cared about us. The fact that he would speak out for them made me feel like he would speak out for me if I needed help. He cared about people. I get that he is the Pope, but not every Pope was like that, right? Pope Francis was the people’s Pope. And he truly gave people comfort and hope. I remember reading a children’s book he wrote called Dear Pope Francis. He basically answered letters that kids wrote to him. I read that book to my kids so many times. His words were so kind and comforting. He cared about kids (and their parents).

He was an advocate. Now he advocates for us in Heaven. It just hurts so much he is not here anymore. Who is going to be the new voice of the people?

For now, I feel intense gratitude. Some people thought I was silly to go to Italy when I did, during the school year, for goodness sakes. I remember someone telling me to “use my brain.” But I felt so led to go there, and to pray for the Pope and be with other praying people all over the world, of every race and nationality. You don’t have to be Catholic to love Pope Francis. Heck, you don’t have to be Christian to appreciate him. But for people who believe, who love Jesus, it was awesome to be near him because he loves Jesus so much, and tried to treat people as Jesus would, and for that he is beloved. I am so so eternally grateful for the chance to see him in person, to receive his blessing, to be in his presence before he passed. Thank you, God. And thank you, Pope Francis, for hanging on as long as you did, for your grit and determination, and for your compassion for us especially during this Jubilee year. Thank you, so very much, for giving your all for Jesus and His flock. I am so grateful of your example of how to be a good human being, a holy person, (and in my heart already, a saint). Rest in Peace!!!