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.
Photograph 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 folks, no matter race, nationality, faith or standing. He believed all people ought to deal with each other as God’s youngsters, simply as he did all through his life.
Listed below are my encounters with Pope Francis.
When he was first elected, like most Catholics and other people around the globe, he was unknown to me. However his choice to take the identify Francis — after St. Francis of Assisi, recognized for humility, poverty and love of all God’s creation — revealed to us what sort of papacy we’d encounter. Tales of him driving 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 informed us every 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 folks’s pope.
My subsequent encounter was in September 2015, when Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn requested me to assist arrange 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 folks 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 folks, aged residents from nursing properties, seniors from native facilities, and kids with particular wants. We gave them a particular second to be with the Holy Father that they nonetheless discuss at this time.
Msgr. Gigantiello meets with Pope Francis.Photograph courtesy of Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello
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 devoted 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 outdated alike! In New York, he did what he was recognized for: bringing folks collectively and reaching out to these on the periphery of society. Between 2015 and 2024, my encounters have 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 — a significant a part of the church’s life in Brooklyn — with the common church primarily based in Rome. With the Holy Father’s blessing, I started aiding in creating assets within the U.S. to learn two foundations pricey to him: the Be Human Basis and the St. Peter for Humanity Basis. Each of those foundations purpose to enhance lives and unite folks around the globe to advertise the widespread good.
Kids have been very particular to Pope Francis — significantly sick youngsters. The Be Human Basis helps the Patrons of the World’s Kids’s Hospital, which provides care to youngsters worldwide, particularly in poor nations, making certain they obtain up-to-date medical remedy.
Over the previous yr, 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 folks — just like the generous-hearted Mr. Frank Bisignano and public servants like Mayor Eric Adams.
One spotlight was gathering youngsters from throughout Europe for the World’s Kids’s Day in Rome. Greater than 100,000 younger folks 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.
One in every of my fondest recollections is from a reception in Rome the place Italian pastries have been being served. I noticed the Holy Father having fun with one and stated to him, “Mi piace” (“I like it”). He smiled. I then added, “Ti piace” (“You like it”), and he answered, “Sì.” We each shared a smile in that easy, joyful second. I typically mirror 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 informed him I’d do my finest to lift the assets 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 will be my last second with him? That encounter impressed me to proceed working with fervor, conviction and like to serve God’s folks 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 writer and host of “Breaking Bread”
