Pope Francis wasn’t what I expected

The Pope wasn’t what I expected.

He has always amazed me ever since he became Pope. I was happy, first and foremost, that he was a Jesuit. Having undergone a Jesuit and Ignatian formation in Ateneo, I knew that the Jesuits had a different take on the Catholic faith. They preached a faith that was more relatable, more grounded and more rational. It was a faith that was not centered on the Catholic traditions, but rather on the purpose of these traditions, which was Christ. I’ve always told people that if I hadn’t gone through prayer sessions with the Jesuits through my org, Ateneo Christian Life Community, my faith wouldn’t have been this deep. This was why I was so excited to have a Jesuit Pope.

I knew he would make a difference on the Church’s message, and he did, right from the very start up until now. He has invited all of us to reexamine our faiths and what role it is playing exactly in our lives today. Is it a faith that is limited to the four corners of the Church? Is it a faith that is just shown in our works for the poor? Or is it a faith so strong that it resonates in the way we speak, act and live?

I admit I was a bit apprehensive on the Pope’s visit because of the media highlighting him like a “celebrity.” Doubters have been saying that it isn’t right for us to glorify him as if he was the center of his visit to the Philippines, and not Jesus. Being a celebrity-crazy country, I was afraid that his visit would just be a fanfare and nothing else. I was also afraid that those who choose to shape faith according to their own needs would take advantage of his apparent leniency with several issues. I was afraid that the media would broadcast messages that weren’t true to what he wanted to say. I guess these are the dangers of a popular and well-liked Pope.

Even with all these fears, I vocally expressed my utter excitement for what was to come.

I didn’t expect to feel this way but right from the moment he peeped through the window of his plane upon landing, I felt a tingling sensation come over my whole body. Tumaas ang balahibo ko. He smiled and suddenly everybody cheered. When he came down from his plane, I was a bit puzzled as to why he didn’t seem as happy. Later on, I found out that it was because he was a bit scared for his safety. (Remember Ninoy Aquino’s assassination?) Funny, I’d think a man of faith wouldn’t worry about such things, but that was the first point when he showed us he was human. Human enough to get scared but still entrust his fate upon God’s hands.

I knew the Pope requested for a very simple vehicle but I didn’t expect it would be that open. I was afraid for his life and that somebody might shoot him from afar: our beloved Pope dying here in the Philippines, the head of the Church, the hope of the people, being shot right here in a Catholic country, and our hearts getting crushed. Yes, to be honest, I was picturing the worst thing that could happen on my mind. That was why I wasn’t complaining when the cellular networks cut off our signal to ensure his safety and the public’s. Even with all of these threats, the Pope was there waving to everybody, left and right, stopping for the children. I was amazed with his energy. Does he get tired? The answer to this question he told Cardinal Tagle, “To be honest, I’m a little tired”. Second time the Pope showed us he was human. He does get tired, but he continues on to reach out to those who just need a little hope in their lives.

Second day was his first mass with the priests and meeting with the families. I was surprised that he started his homily by asking, “Do you love me?” the crowd responds, “Yes,” and the Pope responds, “Thank you very much!” Everyone laughs! What a great sense of humor. I didn’t expect that the Pope’s demeanor could be so light and funny. His smile was so cute and it felt so genuine. His ways were so simple but they went straight to the heart. He was just being real. In all of his homilies and meetings, he injects a little humor here and there. Third time the Pope showed us he is human. He isn’t afraid to make a fool of himself through his jokes. Real humility.

Third day was his trip to Tacloban. A storm was coming and everybody was scared for his safety. He continues on because he knows that the people of Tacloban are the ones who need him most. He hears out the stories of the Taclobanons, and admits that he has no words for them. He tells us that his visit to the Philippines is really for him and that he is learning a lot. Fourth time the Pope showed us he is human. He is humble enough to admit that he does not know everything and that sometimes he can offer no words, just prayers.

Fourth day was his meeting with the youth in UST. I was so moved by the sharing of the street kids. The little girl asks, “Why does God allow these things to happen?” She breaks off in tears. It is a question not even the Pope can answer. Instead, he talks about crying and how weeping can help us understand the true condition of the poor. He says we should not be afraid to cry because certain realities can only be seen through eyes cleansed with tears. He asks us to learn from the wisdom of the poor, to admit that we are poor ourselves and to be humble enough to beg for our own inadequacies. Fifth time the Pope showed us he is human. He is not afraid to cry and show weakness.

I guess this is why the visit of Pope Francis will be one that Catholics in the Philippines won’t ever forget. I expected a Pope that would be all about preaching but instead, he was there to listen before speaking. In fact, several times he ditches his speeches to talk from the heart. Others may say, of course he acts human because he is human. Yes, that is true, but how easy it is to be human when you are given so much attention, power, and praise? Instead of showing us a Pope that knows everything, he shows us a Pope that is humble and sincere. Someone who gets scared, gets tired, laughs at himself, feels inadequate at times, and cries. He is a Pope that the people can identify with and can see the person of Jesus in. His aura is so light and welcoming. If we are already feeling this way with the Pope, what more with Jesus?

Doubters may say we are treating the Pope like a celebrity, but maybe in a celebrity-crazy country, Pope Francis’ persona is just what we need as our first step back into our faith. The challenge ultimately lies with us: Will we see past Francis and go towards Jesus? After all, the Pope will be leaving us, but Jesus will always be in our midst. – Rappler.com 

Gretchen Ho is a semi-professional volleyball player, TV host, entrepreneur, and youth advocate. She is a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University where she also played for the volleyball varsity team. 

This article first appeared on Gretchen’s blog, Simply Extraordinary.