4 Pinoys working for Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY – Thousands of people from different parts of the world visit Vatican City daily, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis. Four Filipinos have however been blessed with the opportunity not only to see the pope, but also to live and work inside the Vatican and serve him.

Sister Ana Capito and Sister Rosalina Aldea, both from Quezon province, were assigned to the Vatican by the Missionary Catechist of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

They are tasked to assist Italian Cardinal Francesco Monterise.

Sister Ana can never forget her first encounter with Pope Francis. He was walking down one of the hallways in the Vatican, and her first instinct was to hide.

“I hid because I know that when the pope is passing, one should not just go and approach him. I didn’t know if I should hide or walk away quickly, but while I was confused about what to do, the pope suddenly greeted me with, ‘How are you sister?’ So I came nearer and kissed his hand,” Sister Ana recounted.

According to Sister Rosalina, Pope Francis loves to walk from his home at Santa Marta to his office at the Apostolic Residence, more than a hundred meters away.

She said the pontiff lives a simple life, living what he preaches, especially humility.

“That’s how he is; it’s as if he always coaxes you to get out of yourself for others,” Sister Rosalina said.

A Filipino migrant worker, on the other hand, has the task of cleaning the pope mobile.

Florencio Ramos Jr. has served three popes for the past 20 years – Pope John Paul II, then Pope Benedict XVI who resigned in 2013 and is now called Pope Emeritus, and Pope Francis.

Florencio considers his job as a huge blessing. That is why he was overwhelmed when he realized that Pope Francis appreciated his work.

After Super Typhoon Yolanda struck the Philippines, Florencio received an invitation from Pope Francis asking him to attend the Holy Mass he was going to celebrate in Santa Marta.

“That was truly a surprise for me; we never thought we’d get the chance to get that invitation from the pope,” he recounted.

Florencio is still thrilled reminiscing the moment. He attended the mass wearing his maintenance uniform. After the mass, he got the chance to meet Pope Francis and convey his prayer intentions, focusing on the victims of Yolanda.

Florencio recalled saying in Italian, “Pope, please pray for the Philippines after that disaster.” Pope Francis replied, “yes, I will; and that tragedy in the Philippines pains me.”

Just like Florencio, his son Jayson, 23, works in the Vatican while studying Linguistics. His part-time duty is to control tourists visiting St. Peter’s Basilica.

When Jayson was still five, Pope John Paul II blessed him while his father carried him at a mass.

For these four Filipinos, serving the pope is a blessing beyond compare. Now that Pope Francis will be visiting the Philippines for the first time, they are happy beyond words that their countrymen will experience the same blessings that they felt just by being with the pope.

They wish and pray that Pope Francis will inspire Filipinos to unite in faith.