A Humble Shepherd A Journey of Grace Who Walked With Us

May 09, 2025

By Shannon Wei
With the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church mourns a beloved shepherd. His death has stirred tributes from across the world – a testament to the profound legacy he left behind.

Amid this global outpour, I recall a grace-filled moment on September 27, 2023, during the Wednesday General Audience at St Peter’s Square. Alongside 15 other young communications professionals from around the world, I was blessed to meet His Holiness through the “Faith Communication in the Digital World” programme by the Dicastery for Communications.

Under the scorching Roman sun, we waited patiently as he made his rounds to greet group by group. I remember being struck by his resilience – at 86 years old, he had just returned from an Apostolic Journey to Marseille, France and was preparing for the Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals in the next few days, which included our own Cardinal Sebastian Francis. Despite his fatigue, the Holy Father pressed on – smiling, blessing and being fully present, all while guided in his wheelchair.

When he reached us, he spoke and laughed – not as a distant pontiff but more as a grandfather among grandchildren. Though we came from different nations and cultures, he welcomed each of us without distinction. He truly embodied the spirit of synodality in walking with, listening to, and embracing all. He prayed over us and, as he often did, asked us to pray for him too.

That brief encounter brought to life what I admired from afar, through screens and headlines. What moved me even more was how, despite his declining health, Pope Francis remained steadfast to the mission in leading, teaching and journeying with the Church.

Let us remember not only his words and actions, but strive to live by the example he set as a living witness of Christ. May his soul rest in the eternal peace of the Risen Lord, whose love he so faithfully reflected.