Personal Encounters with Pope Francis

by Fr. Earl A. P. Valdez

Already a priest of four years, I never had an opportunity to have a one-on-one with Pope Francis. I did not have any opportunity for a private audience like most priests do. Of course, it was a dream to have one, and then have a picture of it printed and framed in our house. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance like that. 

I realized, however, that this was not a loss nor a reason for regret. Looking back, I was blessed enough to see the Holy Father in his most authentic self, in front of many people who are eager to meet him. Being recognized and waved in the sea of crowds may be small and insignificant for many, but these were the only “treasures of encounter” I have, which I believe is a sight of the real Pope Francis. These were the “closest”, so to speak, memories I have of the Holy Father who exudes genuine joy and excitement when he sees the crowds that flock him and desires to have that small encounter with Him. And I am merely one who shared this desire in three separate moments. 

The 2015 Papal Visit

Pope Francis visits Typhoon Haiayan Victims in the Philippines in 2015 / EPA

When the Holy Father visited the Philippines to express his solidarity with the victims of typhoon Haiayan (super typhoon Yolanda), I had just returned to seminary formation after four years of teaching while discerning my vocation to the priesthood. I became part of the team of ushers for the celebration of the Eucharist in the Manila Cathedral.

I was stationed near the cathedral’s main entrance to assist those who would enter from the front doors. Apparently, those were the very doors that the Holy Father would enter to be formally welcomed by then-Manila Archbishop Cardinal Chito Tagle.

Pope Francis welcomed by families during his papal visit in 2015.

I was asked to stand only from the side but the Holy Father’s entrance and his rather informal greeting to Cardinal Chito at such a formal welcoming was so astounding. Being able to see it up close, from a view that probably not everybody in the cathedral would have, I was able to see the Holy Father’s sincerity and desire to meet the people inside the cathedral, from that formal welcome alone.

During that time, as tears welled up in my eyes, I could sense that this gesture set the tone of the entire Papal visit, which had become a core memory engraved in the hearts of those who were able to see him in varying degrees, whether in a close and intimate manner or merely from a distance. 

The 2018 Pre-Synodal Conference

on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment

Three years after the Papal Visit, the Archbishop of Manila sent me to take part in the Pre-Synodal Meeting to prepare for the 2018 Synod for the Youth, with the theme “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment”. It was a surprise that on the first day of the meeting, we were blessed to have an audience with the Holy Father.

This was not a simple meet-and-greet session; rather, he gave his opening address and input for reflection for all of us who were going to make our way to the Synod. And as usual, this input ended with all of us taking a group photo with the Holy Father. 

More than the fact that this meeting was an important stepping stone not just for the Synod on the Youth but actually on the continuing reflection and realization of the Synodal Church, it was an opportunity for me to meet young people from all over the world. It was also an opportunity for us as a group to encounter the Holy Father in a personal and light manner, showing his great concern for young people of today.

For me, it was a very close and personal encounter, in such a way that it was an opportunity work with him, who this time takes the lead to allow our voices to become part of the crucial decision-making processes of the Church. 

Asian delegates at the 2018 Pre-Synodal meeting. Photo: Fr. Earl A. P. Valdez

Summer Papal Audience

From this encounter, we go forward six years, when I was already ordained priest and, after two years of being an assistant parish priest, I was sent to further studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, while residing and undergoing formation in the Pontificio Collegio Filippino. During my first summer break, I was granted an opportunity to accompany a group of pilgrims. Fortunately, part of their itinerary was the Papal audience; coincidentally, we were seated at the back rows, hoping that the Popemobile will pass by and we will be greeted by the Holy Father. 

After the morning reflection, prayer, and blessing, in which the Holy Father was delighted to see the crowd, he went around the square, riding at the back of the mobile. And when he turned to our area, I shouted, “Prega per noi, Santo Padre!” (Holy Father, pray for us!) He looked at our side of the crowd, put out a thumbs up, and nodded. It may have been for somebody else who was around us, but to have the Pope affirm that he will pray for us and our intentions was for me already a big thing. 

Audience with Pope Francis. Photo by the author Fr Earl A.P. Valdez.

Pope Francis at Work

This was, for me, Pope Francis at work, and this is a lasting image that has become an even more inspiring one that exceeds all those possible encounters and private audiences that could have happened.

With nothing but a cheerful face as he was brought to the crowd in a wheelchair, riding the Popemobile with excitement as he gets to see the crowds greeting, I was able to see the Holy Father’s passion to encounter as many people and groups as possible. 

General audience with Pope Francis in 2024. Photo taken by the author Fr Earl A. P. Valdez.

It is this kind of eagerness, like that of a father excited to see the myriads of his sons and daughters gathered before him, that I will never forget about the Holy Father.

And for me, it is a fitting image of Christ, the Good Shepherd, as one who would always watch over the sheep with enthusiasm, never losing the determination to show what and who the Church really is: the one who takes care of the flock and does not abandon those who are lost and wandering. 

Continuing the Mission

With these three lasting images of the late Pope Francis, I believe that he does leave us not only the inspiration but also the challenge to continue the mission of the Church.

If one looks from a distance, one can only see the labels that the world places on the Holy Father: a “liberal” Pope, one who “veers away from Tradition”, a “Pope who embraces the new world”.

However, when one looks at the role of the papacy and how the Holy Father was faithful to it, one can only see that these are misnomers that do not represent neither his person nor the office that He holds. As the Holy Father, he showed what it meant to make decisions that are fruits of discernment, rooted in what the Church should be for the world.

He did not change anything from the fundamental beliefs of the Church but made reforms that enable us to be more faithful to them. He had a different approach as the Pope but was consistent with what preceding popes have built upon. 

At the end of the day, He is truly the Vicar of Christ, the Shepherd of Shepherds, the bridge-builder who continues to reach out to those who feel lost, confused, and angry with what life has given them.

He embodied what his coat of arms meant, as one faithful to his identity: Miserando atque eligendo, the one who is shown mercy, and then chosen to be a disciple. 

Fr. Earl A. P. Valdez is a priest of the Archdiocese of Manila

and a resident priest of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino

currently taking up further studies in Philosophy

at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.