This week we mourn the loss of our dear Pope Francis.  There was something about him which caught our attention—all of us, younger and older.  He seemed to take us closer to Jesus in the things he said and did.  He eschewed the opulence that came with the role, and he put those at the margins at the very center of his vision.  We hope and pray that our next pope also takes us closer to Jesus, of course in some new way that will be particular to the person chosen.  All week and this Sunday are masses are dedicated to Pope Francis.

I had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis twice.  The first was most memorable.  I was in Rome attending “provincials’ school” for newly-named Spanish-speaking provincials.  It was March of 2015.   First, we had mass with him in his domestic chapel at Santa Marta—just 15 of us Jesuits and him!  I kept pinching myself, thinking, “I can’t believe I am in this chapel with the Pope!”  After mass, during which he gave a very beautiful homily in which he reminded us that leadership is about service, each of us got to shake his hand and meet him.

When it was my turn,  Fr. General Nicolas introduced me to him, telling Pope Francis I was from California, at which he brightened up and said proudly, “I just named Robert McElroy as Bishop of San Diego.”  Fr. General then told him that prior to being provincial I had been working at a Latino parish in Los Angeles.  That was my cue to ask Pope Francis, “Holy Father, can I give you a gift?”  He smiled, and said, “Yes!”  I told him we had been working hard for immigration reform, and that kids from the parish had made bracelets saying, “Si se puede.” I took the one I happened to have on my wrist and gave it to him, asking him, “When you come to speak to the US Congress, please give a strong message in support of immigration reform.”  He listened with care, and then he did the most surprising and consoling thing.  Upon receiving the bracelet, he immediately put it on his wrist, and said, “I am working on my message for Congress.” That was Pope Francis:  immediate in his quick support of immigrants, refugees, people at the margins.  May we continue to live his gospel-oriented legacy.

Reporting allegations of Sexual Misconduct 
The Diocese of San Diego treats all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and deals with them in a prompt, confidential, and thorough manner.
To report sexual misconduct by clergy or Church personnel, including abuse, please contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator.

Situations of recent or ongoing sexual abuse should be reported to local law enforcement.

Mary Acosta

Victim Assistance Coordinator

858-490-8353