April 30, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

We, Catholics, are again in a time of “sede vacante – being without a Pope. As you know, Pope Francis has died after a severe illness. So, we now await the election of our next Holy Father. Today, I am reminded of the several popes who have served the Church during my lifetime. The Holy Father of our Catholic Church when I was born was Pope Pius XI. Then Pope Pius XII was elected in 1939. Then, when I was studying in the seminary, Pope John XXIII was elected in 1958. He was the Pope who initiated the Second Vatican Council. Then, only a few years later, when I was a young priest, Pope Paul VI was elected in 1963. He was the pope who completed the work of the Council. In 1978, Pope John Paul was elected. He was the pope who died one month after being elected. Then Pope John Paul II was elected that same year. He was pope until 2005, when Pope Benedict XVI was elected. Pope Francis was elected in 2013.

I loved Pope Francis. I was so pleased when he chose to accept the name of Francis. I had a special devotion to St. Francis of Assisi, as did Pope Francis. Pope Francis chose to imitate St. Francis in his spirituality. He lived a simple life, and he had an intense concern for the poor and needy. He was humble, dedicated to peace, a very caring person. Pope Francis was truly a people’s pope.

I remember how humbly and gently he began his papacy. I remember well the evening he was elected. He began speaking to the large crowd of people in St. Peter’s Square that night. Simply, he began “Buona sera,” Good evening. He then told the people that before he would bless them, he wanted them to bless him with a prayer. It a blessed moment. The whole assembly became silent in prayer. I want to tell you that I placed my hand on the tv so that I could join in the prayer at my home.

I remember how Pope Francis decided to stay in his room in the Santa Marta hostel rather than the spacious papal apartment. He was known to make many telephone calls, quite surprising bishops and priests and friends throughout the world. I remember how Pope Francis wrote and spoke often to the priests of the world, his pastors in many places. I was a pastor then and remember his powerful lessons for us. He called upon us, priests, to never forget the people who were often forgotten, the marginalized ones in our place. He reminded us not to leave anyone out of our love and concern. He used an interesting expression: we, priests and pastors, should be like shepherds who smelled like their sheep. We should be involved with them. Pope Francis thought of the local parish as being a “field hospital after a battle.” The Church needs the ability to heal wounds, the ability to warm the hearts of the faithful. Parishes should be places of healing and mercy, meeting our people with compassion not judgment. How could you not be ready to follow this leader ready to stand with us, priests, in love. I certainly heard him with his expectations of me.

Pope Francis spoke of a parish as a mother with an Open door. Our parishes must be welcoming and inclusive and not closed in on themselves. He saw a parish with an open door as a sign of God’s welcome to all.

So, now, we Catholics must turn to the power of the Holy Spirit and pray that the Spirit’s wisdom and boldness comes to these Cardinal electors to bring us a Holy Father with such love, a father who will lead and guide us and be overwhelmed with the power and love of the Holy Spirit. May we be confidant and filled with hope that God will walk with us and bring to us a wise and Christ-like Holy Father.