He had them at ‘hello’

And the Francis phenomenon took a life of its own  a scene that was not unprecedented. You saw it in Manila, in Tacloban, in Havana.

Ah, but these cities are predominantly Catholic because of their Spanish heritage. You expect the welcome in First-World America to be less warm, less tumultuous.

But the Francis phenomenon evidently transcends religion, race or creed. US President Obama welcomed Francis at the Andrews Air Force Base, which was not unusual as they are both heads of state.

But that his wife Michelle, daughters Sasha and Malia and mother-in-law Marian Robinson tagged along with him is testimony to Papal power. Pope Francis is a rock star in a white robe.

* * *

He became the first Pope to address US Congress, and here, he had them at “hello.” He told those gathered at the joint session (which included usually poker-faced Supreme Court Justices clad in their robes) in the opening salvo of his 50-minute address: “I am most grateful for your invitation to address this Joint Session of Congress in ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave’.”

Thus, he had them at “hello.” This brought virtually everyone in the hall to his or her feet in thunderous applause, an act that would be repeated at least 20 times.

He asked the people of the “land of the free” to make it a land “of dreams” as well.

“A nation can be considered great when it defends liberty as Lincoln did, when it fosters a culture which enables people to ‘dream’ of full rights for all their brothers and sisters, as Martin Luther King sought to do...” the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics said. This brought the audience to its feet another time.

* * *

As I was in January this year, during his historic visit to Manila, I was glued to the TV screen for most of its coverage of the Papal visit to America. Except for the color of their skin, the people in the crowds that lined the streets, whether in Washington DC or New York or Philadelphia, could well have been Filipinos in their fervor.

Again, I saw how he was driven through the gates of the White House in a modest Fiat instead of a limousine — reminiscent of the Volkswagen he used to go to Malacañang. And the babies that were raised to him who were rewarded with his “lolo” kiss! How utterly familiar.

He stopped his car as he was leaving the Philadelphia airport, alighted and despite his limp, walked over to the sidelines to bless a wheelchair-bound boy with cerebral palsy.

A TV commentator was asked what she thought was the impact of Pope Francis’ visit to America and I think she was spot-on when she said there were many Catholics in the crowds, but not all were active Catholics. Francis, she said, “gave them a reason to return.” To be “Catholics by choice,” not just by birth.

Another said that in this millennium, when the Church is beset by challenges and scandals and breakaways, Francis is the “storm pilot.” Just the man you would want to be on the pilot’s seat during turbulent spiritual weather. Just the pastor, who, with God’s grace, will make a flawless landing amid the storm.

He looks grandfatherly and he is, but someone who is familiar with his character said over CNN, he is “one tough teddy bear.” Make no mistake.

* * *

Pope Francis is giving the aging Catholic Church a much-needed face lift externally, and a faith lift internally.

The man who shunned the papacy in 2005 when it looked like he was a strong contender, but who welcomed it with humility in 2013, is anything but popish. He is a shepherd — one who makes a strong moral stand but leaves the door open for Adams and Eves and Cains and Abels. Sinners. As he said in Philadelphia, “Hate does not overcome any difficulty.”

The Pope who lives in a dorm and carries his own travelling bag has a soft heart for the poor, the weak and the vulnerable — like children and grandparents.

 “A people that doesn’t look after its children, a people that doesn’t know how to look after its grandparents is a people without future. Because they don’t have strength or the memory to go forward,” he said during an extemporaneous speech during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia.

My sister Geraldine Mayor, aunt MaryAnne Ancheta and her daughter Jenny, were in the crowd. Geraldine said that after lining up for the Papal speech, she decided to stay at home the next day, a Sunday. Till Francis said, “See you tomorrow at Mass.” Francis then asked his aide, “What time is the Mass?” After which he told the crowd, “A las quatro!” So my sister braved the crowds and the security again for the Mass celebrated by the Holy Father.

Geraldine told me her Pope Francis encounter was “an experience of exhilaration and exhaustion. Walked seven miles, and waited for Pope for all of 10 hours, to see him 30 seconds. Yes, 78-year-old Auntie MaryAnne Ancheta walked it with me. Our cousin Jenny Ancheta told me we clocked around 18,000 steps that whole day.

“Frankly, we could have heard his message better if we turned on the TV, but  what we gained is the experience of the group gathering to honor a good man who finally represents the essence of Catholicism — mercy, love for others, simplicity.

“I am astounded at the honor, likewise, given to Pope Francis by the President of the United States, and members of the entire United States Government to the leader of a much berated religious group of the past decades. What a proud moment for a Catholic American citizen.”

 Geraldine was also very proud that Cardinal Chito Tagle “is indeed a much respected Catholic leader worldwide. He was a speaker at the World Meeting of Families. His talks were standing room only. The Mass he held at the Our Lady of Hope Parish in Philadelphia saw its largest crowd of attendees probably ever of the Filipino community.  He was featured on the night news of Philadelphia. During the Papal Mass at St. Charles Borromeo seminary, he was one of the handful of Cardinals approached and greeted by the Pope. And he was on the front row. What a proud moment for a Filipino Catholic!

“Our hosts for the Papal visit were Jay Silber and Vicki  Hollet. Jay is Jewish and Vicki is a proclaimed atheist. But they were so happy for us and all the faithful. Needless to say, they like our Pope and his ideas. They let us stay with them in their home close to where most Papal events were.

“The Papal visit has been a joyous time for Catholics, and even non-Catholics who just simply admire Pope Francis and his message.”

Amen.

* * *

My husband Ed asked me why I was writing about the Pope in America, when I wasn’t even there.

Ah, but that is the power of this Pope. His message leaps over continents and across oceans and dives deep into one’s heart — wherever and whoever one may be. (You may e-mail me at [email protected].)