Seven Sacred Encounters with Pope Francis
Pope Francis with Michael Guarino and his wife, Marissa Guarino, at a visit in 2018
This is a personal reflection by Michael Guarino, a friend of this ministry and an advocate for young adult ministry.
As the Catholic world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary privilege of having met the Holy Father with my wife on seven distinct occasions. Each encounter left an indelible mark on my faith journey and demonstrated the evolution of his papacy - from a strong, dynamic leader to a gentle grandfather figure who never wavered in his dedication to the poor.
My encounters with the Holy Father were marked by moments both profound and personal. From receiving his blessed rosaries and his own zucchetto (white skull cap) - now a treasured possession in my home. Our interactions ranged from requesting blessings for youth ministry crucifixes to presenting more challenging petitions, including appeals for the canonization of American servants of God like Dorothy Day, Bishop Sheen, and Father Al Schwartz. We engaged in difficult but necessary discussions about universal basic income, and I even raised concerns about Cardinal McCarrick - concerns the Pope addressed weeks later with decisive action.
Among the most memorable moments was presenting him with a book about Brittany's life and offering a shirt signed by Life Teen Camp youth. Each encounter revealed different facets of his character: his commitment to youth engagement, his openness to dialogue, and his unwavering focus on serving the marginalized.
As his physical strength declined in later years, his spiritual presence remained powerful. The transformation from a robust leader to a frailer figure never diminished his fundamental commitment to the poor and his role as Universal Pastor. In these later meetings, I witnessed not just the Vicar of Christ, but a grandfather of the Church, whose gentleness and wisdom touched all who encountered him.
Each audience with Pope Francis was more than a meeting with the leader of our Church - it was an encounter with Peter himself, the living successor to the apostle. Whether discussing the Florida martyrs, advocating for American canonization causes, or presenting him with my "Make the Catholic Church Great Again" hat, each moment reflected both the gravity and the joy of our Catholic faith.
As we pray for the repose of his soul, we remember a pontiff who balanced tradition with pastoral sensitivity, who challenged us to reach the peripheries, and who reminded us that the Church must always be a field hospital for the wounded. While we mourn his passing, we remain, as an Easter people, joyfully expectant as we await the Holy Spirit's guidance in selecting our next shepherd.
In this time of transition, we thank God for Pope Francis's stewardship of our Church and look forward with hope to the next chapter in our Church's history, confident that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide and protect Christ's Church on earth."