Due to limited access, fewer pilgrims can attend the audiences held in the Courtyard of St. Damasus. Consequently, Pope Francis is able to stop and greet more faithful than ever before.
This is the case of this group who study in the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. They had the opportunity to meet the pope up close and even joked with him.
EVA MARTÍNEZ
“He was very close, and he was talking to everybody. I thanked him for the hope he had given us during this time of the pandemic, especially when he went out to St. Peter's Square during Lent. He joked with me and asked me if I had been infected with the coronavirus.”
This student took advantage of the pope's proximity and was even able to make this very touching request.
“Holy Father. I've been taught that we're all children of God, right? Adoptive sons and daughters. Well, I tell the Lord that I want you to be my adoptive grandfather because I don't have grandparents here on earth. What do you think about being my adoptive grandfather?”
LORETO GARRIDO
“I made this request since I only have one grandmother left on earth. My two grandfathers who are in heaven were also named Francisco. In fact, I didn't meet one, and the other one died when I was younger”.
“I'd like to say that Pope Francis is the revolutionary grandfather of the Church.”
Loreto explained that the pope’s response was simple yet so significant and compelling. She now hopes to pray every day for her new adoptive grandfather.
Letícia, a Brazilian student, was able to write a special dedication inside a book she gave the pope.
LETÍCIA GÓES
“I had the opportunity to give him a book that I wrote. It's very simple. It's about poems that I had written for my friends. To be able to give him this book gave me a feeling that the pope cares about us, that he's a pope who is very close to us.”
“It was very amusing because when the pope took the book, he tried to read the title in Portuguese, and he actually has a very good accent.”
Loreto and her friends say that Pope Francis may not have time to dialogue with every pilgrim but that the look on his face and that compassionate empathetic spirit he transmits is worth a thousand words.
Christian Campos
