In tribute to our loving Shepherd, several members of The Lay Centre community would like to share their reflections on living in Rome during this extraordinary moment in the life of the Church. They describe how Pope Francis has touched their lives and how his legacy continues to guide our shared journey.
From the very beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has uplifted the role of the laity, encouraging lay women and men to live our faith actively and courageously in the world. His words and example have been a constant source of inspiration for us at The Lay Centre.
As individuals shaped by his leadership and vision, we now express our deep gratitude for the gift of his life. We await with joy and hope the election of the new Pope.
The Warmth of a Shepherd’s Heart
For Elisenda Almirall from Spain, meeting Pope Francis was a moment marked not by grandeur, but by profound spiritual intimacy: “In those few seconds, I felt a deep spiritual warmth, as if I were embraced by someone who reflected God’s love.” Being in Rome in these days of farewell became, for her, an unexpected gift. Attending the Pope’s funeral amid the vast crowd, she was moved by the silence that unified thousands of hearts: “I truly felt the strength of a faith that brings people together beyond words.”
A Legacy of Compassion and Social Friendship
Maria Teresa Avila from Mexico, pursuing her Doctorate in Social Sciences at the Angelicum, reflected on Pope Francis’ enduring impact on both the Church and the world: “He leaves a legacy of compassion, simplicity, and social friendship. His documents — from Evangelii Gaudium to Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti — have inspired many to connect theology with practicality, and faith with solidarity.”
She recalled how his call for “todos, todos, todos” at World Youth Day in Lisbon opened hearts, and how his words on social love continue to guide her: “Social love is a force capable of inspiring new ways of approaching the problems of today’s world… renewing structures, social organizations, and legal systems from within.” For Tere, Francis was not just a pope — but “a kind pastor, a wise spiritual leader with the ability to build bridges where they were needed most.”
A Final Farewell
For Lourdes Spossito, from Argentina, the grace of bidding farewell to the Pope at Santa Marta was a profoundly human experience. “In the quiet simplicity of the chapel, we gathered to offer our final farewell—not with grandeur, but with solemn reverence and heartfelt emotion.” Standing before his coffin, they joined in silent prayers of gratitude, united in the recitation of the Rosary. “We were not merely bidding farewell to the Successor of Peter, but to a father, a friend, and a true witness to the Gospel.” His motto, Miserando atque eligendo — “by having mercy and by choosing him” — now resonates deeply in her heart, a truth she continues to share.
Grace and Sorrow Intertwined
Mataea Žerjav, a Lay Centre guest from Germany, arrived in Rome expecting to attend the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, only to find herself unexpectedly present for Pope Francis’ farewell. “That glimpse of his lifeless body in St. Peter’s Basilica was overwhelming — it broke me. The tears came, unstoppable and raw.” At his humble grave, Mataea felt a profound peace and hope. She carries with her a simple blessing she learned from Francis, one she now offers daily to loved ones: “May Almighty God bless you, and may His Most Holy Mother keep you safe.”
A Bittersweet Goodbye
For Daniela Nino Giraldo from Colombia, this historic moment brought a bittersweet feeling. “Pope Francis was the Pope with whom I first began actively participating in Church activities. The phrase ‘Hagan lío’ accompanied me throughout his pontificate.” She recalled standing beside a homeless man at dawn, waiting for the gates for the Exequial Mass to open: “In front of me, I didn’t see ‘a homeless man’ — I saw a person, like myself, sharing the same love for you, our Pope, who gave everything for his beloved Church.” In that moment, Daniela felt the living imprint of Pope Francis’ legacy — a call to recognize the dignity within every person.
Living Through Prayer and Hope
Mihaela Žerjav, a Lay Centre resident from Croatia spoke of the quiet absence now felt at daily Mass: “When the name of the Pope is left unspoken, a deep emptiness settles in — and yet, alongside the sorrow, there stirs a quiet hope for the Holy Father yet to come.” For her, the days of the funeral were filled with both grace and sorrow — moments of prayer and hope that she carries forward, even as she wonders, “Why me, why now?”
A Humble Encounter
Carlo Belardi, Italy, had the chance to meet Francis in person last year. He beautifully captured the spirit so many of us have felt: “Meeting Pope Francis last November wasn’t marked by splendor — it was a moment of humility. It felt as though I was encountering a true pastor, a shepherd who became a guiding presence in my faith journey. That brief instant, as he blessed me, is a memory I will cherish for a lifetime.”
Abundant Blessings
For Courtney Hartmann, a Lay Centre alumna from the United States, being in Rome during this historic moment was deeply meaningful. “It was an honor to be in Rome to pay my respects to Pope Francis, Attending Vespers with the Cardinals at St. Mary Major, surrounded by people in an unending line of love, was deeply moving. The presence of thousands of young people in Rome for the postponed canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis brought a lightness and joy that felt like a gift from the Pope himself, who cherished humor and once reminded us, ‘The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.’ These days became not only a farewell but a celebration of his life and enduring legacy.”
Convinced Optimist
For Karina Gandur, from Russia and Lebanon, the Pope was a “convinced optimist.” She writes: “Despite the difficulties of the modern world, he always expressed hope for a better future and inspired people to believe in change. Optimism and joy are a choice.”
She says she was honored to meet the Pope in person on January 12, 2024. This meeting was followed by an invitation to read the Gospel according to Mark in Russian on January 25, 2024, at a prayer for Christian unity in the presence of the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Wall in Rome. “The relics of St. Paul the Apostle are kept there. The Russian Emperor Nicholas I, son of Paul I, sent Ural malachite and Badakhshan lapis lazuli to decorate the altar and the interior of the basilica. I feel deeply grateful for Pope Francis’ service to God and to people from all walks of life”, she says.
A Personal Journey
For Anastasia Pinto from India, Pope Francis’ influence on her faith journey spans many years. But in 2024, during a season of spiritual dryness and woundedness, it was once again his words—read on The Lay Centre website—that gave her the courage to take a bold step. They felt like a personal call to move to Rome: “In the Church, no one is left out or left over. There is room for everyone. Just the way we are. Everyone!”
Remarkably, these echoed words she had first heard during a retreat at the age of 17—words that had once transformed her life. Being in Rome this year feels like providence. She is convinced she is here not by chance, but by purpose. Seeing Pope Francis one last time, paying him homage, and having the grace to spend time in prayer near him awakened a profound sense of revival. In that sacred moment, she was reminded once again of his powerful declaration: “I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world.”
Those words stirred within me a renewed zeal and a deep invitation to rise again in my God-given identity—and, most importantly, to embrace a new beginning: to hope again, to dream again, and to recommit myself to service, wherever God may call me.
