In Buenos Aires in 1980, a 43-year-old priest, named Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is rushed to the hospital for a severe abdominal infection. His physician, Dr. José Di Lorio, calls his colleague, Dr. Juan Carlos Parodi, to examine him.
DR. JUAN CARLOS PARODI
Surgeon
He was really very sick, with a severe infection, high temperature and he was dehydrated. I told him that he needed fluids, antibiotics and surgery because the infection was already in the biliary system. The pain was mainly in the right upper quadrant, which is where the gallbladder is. The diagnosis was more or less clear. It was not inconclusive. And the inflammation indicated that the abdominal lining was involved.
After the surgery, Fr. Bergoglio went to pay Dr. Parodi, but he refused to accept anything. He said it was in gratitude for all that he had done for the poor in Buenos Aires. Fr. Bergoglio left, but returned soon after with a very special gift.
DR. JUAN CARLOS PARODI
Surgeon
He came back after a while. He brought a book called, 'The History of St. Ignatius of Loyola', about the creator of the Jesuit order. He gave it to me, and I still have it.
33 years later, Dr. Parodi's phone rang again. It was March 13, 2013. Before a crowded St. Peter's Square, the new pope stepped out onto the balcony: Argentinean Jesuit, Jorge Mario Bergoglio—now known as Francis.
DR. JUAN CARLOS PARODI
Surgeon
He called me and said: 'Do you know who the new pope is? Do you remember that priest you operated on?' Then I obviously remembered right away because it was a really memorable experience for me.
The following year, in May 2014, Pope Francis welcomed Dr. Parodi and his wife to his residence at Casa Santa Marta—something he was not expecting.
DR. JUAN CARLOS PARODI
Surgeon
We were waiting for him and as soon as he arrived, I was incredibly moved. With a huge smile, he hugged me and told me: 'You saved my life and you didn't want any reward for your work.' And I told him that the reward had been the satisfaction of seeing him recover so quickly.
Dr. Parodi says that they keep in touch from time to time. And for him, Pope Francis is a very special man.
CA
TR: KG
