Pope Francis at the White House, on TV. When I heard Pope Francis was coming to DC, I got so excited because I assumed I would run into him at some point. The District is actually pretty small so it’s not entirely crazy thought. We run into the President’s motorcade with some regularity. And last time, when Pope Benedict came to visit DC, we did just pop over and stood outside the Basilica and we got to see him! It was pretty simple.
But this time I have been farther and farther removed from my Catholic faith, busy with work and life. I also did not plan ahead. I should have, because Pope Francis has a huge following that doesn’t leave any space to just pop over anywhere! You either needed a media pass, a ticket or a connection to get in. I also had to work – in my case telework because many workers in DC were encouraged to stay home to avoid Pope TRAFFIC due to road closures.
So I turned on the TV like everyone else to see the Pope speak. I will never have a story of standing in line for hours to see him in person. For that I am sorry.
But I still felt very close to him, my faith, humanity, Jesus and myself. I thank Pope Francis for reminding me of all the values I cherished growing up Catholic in Dallas: humility, humanity, love for others. These values erode over time as you grow up and enter the working world, where being humble is almost seen as a flaw.
Pope, you have brought me and this overachieving city closer to the people we admire and want to be. Your messages bring us peace, love, hope and joy when we need them most. I have never felt closer.
But this time I have been farther and farther removed from my Catholic faith, busy with work and life. I also did not plan ahead. I should have, because Pope Francis has a huge following that doesn’t leave any space to just pop over anywhere! You either needed a media pass, a ticket or a connection to get in. I also had to work – in my case telework because many workers in DC were encouraged to stay home to avoid Pope TRAFFIC due to road closures.
So I turned on the TV like everyone else to see the Pope speak. I will never have a story of standing in line for hours to see him in person. For that I am sorry.
But I still felt very close to him, my faith, humanity, Jesus and myself. I thank Pope Francis for reminding me of all the values I cherished growing up Catholic in Dallas: humility, humanity, love for others. These values erode over time as you grow up and enter the working world, where being humble is almost seen as a flaw.
Pope, you have brought me and this overachieving city closer to the people we admire and want to be. Your messages bring us peace, love, hope and joy when we need them most. I have never felt closer.
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