In brief
In a heartfelt reminiscence, Jim Yardley recounts the magnetic presence of Pope Francis, who transformed the papacy by championing the marginalized and the voiceless, leaving a profound impact during his global travels.
I recall the people. Thousands, at times even hundreds of thousands, filled aging stadiums, waiting eagerly to catch a glimpse of the Pope. I witnessed this fervor firsthand during his visit to the Mexican state of Chiapas in 2016. The local stadium was so packed that it felt as if the very structure was going to be lifted by the weight of humanity, all eyes fixed on the heavens as a helicopter emerged from clouds of dust, carrying none other than Pope Francis.In Morelia, the atmosphere was no different. The locals didn’t mind that the Pope was running late. A lively band filled the air with music as exuberant nuns waved pompoms, and joyful priests and seminarians formed a conga line, dancing with zeal at the prospect of Francis’ arrival.From his unexpected ascendancy to the papacy on that rain-soaked night in Vatican City in 2013, Pope Francis dedicated his mission to what he termed “the peripheries”—those often overlooked in our interconnected world. His messages consistently revolved around the struggles of the marginalized, immigrants, and the impoverished. Wherever he visited globally, he made it a priority to locate these souls and connect with them— and they, in turn, found solace in his presence.While it is true that any pope can attract a crowd, Pope Francis possessed an ineffable quality that set him apart. Although he wasn’t the most dynamic speaker, his very presence resonated with people, transcending language and cultural barriers and igniting a sense of hope and belonging among those who often felt forgotten. Throughout his time in the High Office, he has left an indelible mark, reminding us all of the fundamental dignity of every human life.
