POPE FRANCIS
July 25, 2013
'I want a ruckus. Will there be noise in here? There will be. Will there be noise in Río? There will be. But I want a ruckus in the dioceses. I want tou to go out to the people.'
Eight years after Pope Francis gave this speech during the first international trip of his pontificate, his words remain relevant.
They summarize his government style, and maybe explain why he has a soft spot for entrepreneurs like Noel Díaz, the founder of ESNE Television and Radio, whose livelihood is making a mess.
The Pope received Díaz in a private visit to Casa Santa Marta for their seventh meeting.
NOEL DÍAZ
Founder, ESNE Television and Radio
“We talked about many things, and spoke for almost an hour. I think that one of the things that remains is that he wants a Church that goes out. He wants a Church who goes to the peripheries. That is still his message.'
Díaz is an immigrant. He was a shoeshiner in Tijuana before he eventually settled in the United States, where he seeks to strengthen the faith of the Latin American community with his broadcasts.
NOEL DÍAZ
Founder, ESNE Television and Radio
“I actually gave him a brief presentation of everything which ESNE is doing, of the migrant community, of the parts of Latin America which we are reaching with our listeners and viewers, and he was very happy. He told me: 'Keep going. Keep doing that.' Then he just said something that really moved me: 'thank you. Thank you for all that you are doing.'”
Pope Francis even offered a special blessing for ESNE's audience.
In their conversation, the Pope was moved by the difficult situation of migrants seeking a better life in the United States.
NOEL DÍAZ
Founder, ESNE Television and Radio
“Part of my presentation was about what is happening right now in the United States. There are thousands of men and women, and children, who are crossing the border. He was very moved by these images, of course.”
During their first meeting, Díaz shined the Pope's shoes to show him that he has not forgotten his humble origins. It took place during Pope Francis' trip to Mexico in 2016. Theyve met several more times since then, yet the Pope's message has already remained the same: Bring the Church out to the people.
Javier Romero
TR: JM
