Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello shares a joyful second with Pope Francis throughout one in all his many visits to Rome on behalf of charitable foundations near the pontiff’s coronary heart.
Picture courtesy of Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello
Once I consider Pope Francis, the primary ideas that come to thoughts are: a holy man, a humble man, and a human being.
A holy man: To be holy within the eyes of God is to be like God, who loves all of the human beings He created.
Humble as a result of Pope Francis believed we’re all equal within the eyes of God, and that he was no extra entitled or higher than anybody else just because he was the chief of 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide.
A human being as a result of he revered all of God’s individuals, no matter race, nationality, faith or standing. He believed all people ought to deal with each other as God’s kids, simply as he did all through his life.
Listed here are my encounters with Pope Francis.
When he was first elected, like most Catholics and other people all over the world, he was unknown to me. However his choice to take the title Francis — after St. Francis of Assisi, recognized for humility, poverty and love of all God’s creation — revealed to us what kind of papacy we might encounter. Tales of him using public transportation, returning to the Rome resort the place he stayed earlier than the conclave to pay his invoice, and selecting to not reside within the papal palace instructed us every little thing.
I bear in mind talking about this on “Good Day New York” with Rosanna Scotto, and we knew from that second he can be the individuals’s pope.
My subsequent encounter was in September 2015, when Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn requested me to assist set up the arrival of Pope Francis at Kennedy Airport as he got here to handle the United Nations. I used to be knowledgeable there can be no formal ceremony or assembly with individuals on the airport to switch from his airplane to the helicopter en path to Manhattan. However I knew, deep down, that if he noticed anybody frail or with a incapacity, he would spontaneously depart from his scheduled routine to greet them and impart his blessings on them, which he certainly did.
We invited younger individuals, aged residents from nursing houses, seniors from native facilities, and kids with particular wants. We gave them a particular second to be with the Holy Father that they nonetheless speak about immediately.
After his helicopter departed for St. Patrick’s Cathedral, I rushed to the cathedral to be a part of the prayer service with New Yorkers and the trustworthy from the Tri-State space, in addition to my mates and devoted parishioners. The subsequent day was an ecumenical prayer service at Floor Zero, which was a really shifting expertise for everybody — however personally vital for me, having skilled 9/11 on that tragic day and ministering on the web site for days and months afterward.
The spotlight was a Mass at Madison Sq. Backyard, and I recall how emotional and particular it was for therefore many individuals, younger and previous alike! In New York, he did what he was recognized for: bringing individuals collectively and reaching out to these on the periphery of society. Between 2015 and 2024, my encounters had been restricted to papal audiences, Sunday blessings in Saint Peter’s Sq., and the pilgrims I led to Rome.
In 2024, I used to be requested to share my expertise in growth — an important a part of the church’s life in Brooklyn — with the common church based mostly in Rome. With the Holy Father’s blessing, I started helping in creating sources within the U.S. to learn two foundations expensive to him: the Be Human Basis and the St. Peter for Humanity Basis. Each of those foundations purpose to enhance lives and unite individuals all over the world to advertise the widespread good.
Youngsters had been very particular to Pope Francis — significantly sick kids. The Be Human Basis helps the Patrons of the World’s Youngsters’s Hospital, which affords care to kids worldwide, particularly in poor nations, guaranteeing they obtain up-to-date medical remedy.
Over the previous 12 months, my work with these foundations introduced me to Rome seven occasions. Throughout these travels, I had a number of encounters with Pope Francis. I met international leaders like Mrs. Nelson Mandela, Vice President Al Gore, Nobel Peace Prize winners, clergy of many religions, and on a regular basis individuals — just like the generous-hearted Mr. Frank Bisignano and public servants like Mayor Eric Adams.
One spotlight was gathering kids from throughout Europe for the World’s Youngsters’s Day in Rome. Greater than 100,000 younger individuals gathered at a stadium and at a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, the place the pope spoke to, inspired and blessed them. At this gathering, I had the particular privilege of assembly the mom of soon-to-be St. Carlos Acudos, the primary millennial saint.
Considered one of my fondest reminiscences is from a reception in Rome the place Italian pastries had been being served. I noticed the Holy Father having fun with one and mentioned to him, “Mi piace” (“I prefer it”). He smiled. I then added, “Ti piace” (“You prefer it”), and he answered, “Sì.” We each shared a smile in that straightforward, joyful second. I usually replicate on that nice and private encounter with the Holy Father.
My final encounter with Pope Francis got here simply 11 days earlier than he entered the hospital. At that intimate gathering, I instructed him I’d do my finest to boost the sources he wanted to proceed his legacy. He gave me his blessing and thanked me for my labor on behalf of his mission.
Who would have thought that might be my ultimate second with him? That encounter impressed me to proceed working with fervor, conviction and like to serve God’s individuals and His church — and to maintain the legacy of Pope Francis alive.
“Fratelli Tutti” — All brothers and sisters.
Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello is pastor of Our Woman of Mt. Carmel/Annunciation Church in Brooklyn, and the creator and host of “Breaking Bread”
