Farewell, Pope Francis

I’ll be the first to admit—growing up, I didn’t fully understand the significance of the Pope. To me, the title seemed like something from history books or the evening news. I respected it, sure, but it felt distant. Formal. Not something that truly touched my everyday life.

But life, in all its wonderful twists, had other plans.

It wasn’t until I married my husband—raised in the Catholic faith—that I began to see the depth, reverence, and ritual tied to the role of the Pope. Over the years, I’ve learned more about the beauty of Catholic traditions: the rhythm of the liturgical year, the power of community prayer, and the reverence for sacred moments. And at the center of so much of it was Pope Francis—a man who brought gentleness to a powerful position and reminded the world of the simple, radical love of Jesus.

Watching my husband cross himself in prayer, witnessing the quiet reverence at midnight Mass, and hearing my daughters ask questions about saints and sacraments opened my heart. What once felt foreign slowly became familiar. And Pope Francis—humble, compassionate, always choosing mercy—became a guiding light not just for Catholics, but for all of us looking to live with grace.

His papacy brought humanity to the headlines. He washed the feet of prisoners, embraced the marginalized, and never shied away from saying what needed to be said. He reminded the world that faith is not about perfection but about love. About showing up for others. About choosing kindness, even when it’s hard.

As we now say farewell to Pope Francis—whether it’s stepping down or stepping into eternity—we’re not just saying goodbye to a leader. We’re honoring a man who changed hearts. A shepherd who chose simplicity. A voice that echoed hope across borders and beliefs.

For me, this goodbye is personal.

Because of him, I look at my husband’s faith with new eyes. I see our differences not as divides, but as opportunities to grow together. Because of him, I’ve found deeper respect for traditions that weren’t my own—but now feel like a part of me.

So thank you, Pope Francis.

Thank you for showing the world what humble leadership looks like. Thank you for opening doors for conversations that needed to happen. Thank you for showing my family—and me—that love is the heart of faith.

With gratitude and hope,
Melissa