Photo by Paul Haring, courtesy of Catholic News Service. All rights reserved.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis
Like many of you, my wife Velma and I sat enthralled for hours watching on television His Holiness, Pope Francis, the inspiring Bishop of Rome, and his historic and memorable visit to Cuba and the United States.
In just a few short hours and days, chock full of parades, speeches, dinners, conferences, the kissing of babies, and the blessing of the multitudes, this humble little priest, son of Italian immigrants to Argentina, further captivated the hearts and minds of all who saw him by telling us we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, and challenging us to do better and that love and compassion will heal our hurts.
Following his warm reception days before on the island of Cuba, like you, we had wondered how his visit to the United States, Sept. 22-27, would be received by the America public. As Protestants, we even wondered about our reaction ourselves as lifelong Methodists. How would we look upon and react to the visit of the Pope from Rome? Now we know!
To describe Pope Francis and his visit to this side of the Atlantic as "a breath of fresh air" sounds almost trite, for words are inadequate as to how his visit impacted us.
It may be stretching it a little, but In the mind this one person, the spirit of the Pope's visit might be described more in keeping with what "the second coming" of our Lord would be like, a time of joy, love, brotherhood, good will and acceptance for each and every person, peace and harmony for all.
All I know, this one person, surrounded by his faithful priestly interpreter and unprecedented security along every route, dressed out in his flowing white robe and little white skull cap, captivated his audience with his every stop and his every word.
Following his plane's landing at Andrews Air Base through all of his endless schedules and appearances to his departure from the Philadelphia International Air Port, Velma and I were enthralled with Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, who earlier in life was reported to have been a bouncer at a bar, and one who loved to do the tango. As some would say, Jorge had come a long way. Christians would pause and say, our God is the God of Miracles. And so He is!
The historic and inspiring visit of Pope Francis to Cuba and the United States and its far reaching impact on us all reminds me of the musical, "Camelot" by Lerner and Loewe, and those unforgettable words;
"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot,
For one brief, shining moment
That was known as Camelot."
The pope has gone home. His colorful and inspiring scenes depicted on the tube are now a faded memory, relegated to the archives, only to be revisited from time to time. But don't let it be forget, for one brief shining moment there was a man, Pope Francis, who caused millions to once more believe in themselves and have hope for one another and for the future.
Will it last is the question? Remember to pray for the Pope and for one another.
The Rev. Billy Cox of Louisville, Ky., served as a military chaplain and pastor in Kentucky prior to his retirement. He and his wife, Velma, recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.