Pope Francis (1936-2025) in the arms of the Father. I thank God for having met Pope Francis personally.
He was a great gift in my life: a model of Franciscan humility and poverty to imitate.
On April 16, 2015, during the ad limina visit of us bishops of Kenya, I had the joy of giving Pope Francis a special gift. I told him: «I work in the diocese of Maralal, among the shepherds and therefore I offer you, on their behalf, this goatskin miter of mine. Now you too, as a good shepherd, will be able to have the smell of sheep, as you always tell your priests».
Before placing it on his head, he wanted to smell it himself and then commented: «This is not sheep but goat!». I replied: “Yes, that’s true. I see that you feel the difference. But in Kenya, sheep and goats go to pasture together.” Seven months later, he visited Kenya (November 25-27, 2015), and gave me a nice surprise that showed his heart was always attentive to small favors. Upon his arrival, at the airport in Nairobi, after getting off the plane, as he passed in front of the line of bishops, I took courage and asked him:
“Your Holiness, don’t you remember me? I’m the one who gave you the goatskin miter, in Rome.” “I remember, yes,” he replied, “and I brought your miter with me from Rome and tomorrow you will see it on my head during Mass.” The next day, at the beginning of Mass, at the altar he turned slightly toward me and smiled as if to say: “You see, I keep my promises.” What a human and warm heart! Even today I still hold dear two little things: the Rosary he gave me, and which I recite every day, and a small framed picture with the photo in which I hugged him (what courage!).
We have another saint who intercedes for us. A saint who kissed the feet of African presidents, pleading them to work for peace.
* Mons. Virgilio Pante, IMC, bishop emeritus of Maralal. Originally published in: www.rivistamissioniconsolata.it
