Thank you, Pope Francis

Last Monday, just after 1:30 P.M., Pope Francis passed away. All Catholics, as well as leaders of different countries and other churches, are now mourning his passing. Pope Francis was known for being kind to all people. People rejoiced when he appeared on Easter Sunday after becoming ill with pneumonia. He was in the hospital for more than a month before returning to the Vatican to rest and recover. His last message this Easter was one of freedom of thought and tolerance. His message was significant because of current events, where wars are being fought and freedoms stifled. He delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” benediction to the delight of the crowd gathered at the Vatican.

Pope Francis visited the country on January 15-19, 2015. What I distinctly remember was when his Zuchetto, a cloth covering for his head, was blown by the wind. A priest picked it up and offered to trade it for what the pope wore on a different day. He agreed without hesitation, beaming that wonderful smile at the fortunate priest. He always wanted to be close to the people, particularly the youth. That's part of his charm and popularity. He gave his life in service to the Lord and now rests with the Father in heaven.

Pope Francis was the third pope to visit the country. The first was Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1981 and 1995.

The election of a new pope will begin. The College of Cardinals makes the choice, in what is called a papal conclave. They are high-ranking bishops in the Vatican and worldwide, who are no more than 80 years old. One hundred and thirty-five bishops are eligible to vote in the Papal Conclave. A two-thirds majority of the bishops’ votes is needed to become the next pope. Voting continues until a candidate garners the majority.

When white smoke comes out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, it means a new pope has been elected. Black smoke indicates that a two-thirds majority has not been met. When the papal conclave has chosen someone, the winner accepts the position, selects a name, and is dressed in pontifical robes. I was blessed to witness a papal conclave. It was such an emotional moment when white smoke billowed out of the chimney. “Habemus Papam.”

Our very own Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is said to be a strong candidate. Other prominent candidates are Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary but there may be others. Let us pray and thank Pope Francis for his wise, humble, and dynamic leadership of the Catholic Church, and also for his successor.