Recalling an unforgettable encounter

By Sr Susan Richert

I met Pope Francis in 2016 in Rome at a Conference for the Vicars of Religious. It was a most memorable occurence - a true encounter - one that needed no words; everything was said to each other by smiling eyes and a firm handshake. I certainly got the feeling that during those few minutes, I was the only one in the conference hall.

His warmth and friendship had the sense that we were brother and sister in the Lord  and was especially incredible since I was one of the last among 200 to meet with him.

He spoke to us of Religious Life and about the importance of our ministry of care for the Religious in our Dioceses.  When I returned home, my dad, who at this stage was almost confined to bed, had  told everyone I had gone to Rome to meet the Pope - little did he know his words were to come true!

The picture of myself meeting Pope Francis was put up on the wall near his bed so he could see it.