Convey my regards to your mamma: Pope Francis

Archbishop Dr. Joseph (Joy) Kalathiparambil, who is set to take charge on Sunday as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly, the historic seat of Roman Catholic hierarchy in Kerala, recalls his close interaction with Pope Francis

When I reached Rome on May 3, 2011, on being nominated as secretary at the Pontifical Council, I was initially accommodated at Casa Santa Marta adjacent to St. Peter's Basilica. Santa Marta turned into the papal household, as you say, soon after the conclave in 2013. When I came back after two weeks, the Holy Father was already there at Santa Marta. Then I was told the Holy Father had invited all residents there for concelebrating Holy Mass with him in his chapel and met everyone personally. I missed it. I felt miserable. I went over to Monsignor Alfred Xuereb, a Maltese prelate and diplomat who is the first private secretary to Pope Francis, and told him how sorry I was for missing my first private audience with the Holy Father.

The next day I was called for the Eucharistic celebration with the Pope. After the Mass, when I got out of the chapel after changing the vestments, I was surprised to see him waiting for us outside, along with the official photographers. He met each one, exchanged a few words while the photos were taken. He then turned to me and told me to wait for breakfast with him. I was the only guest at his breakfast table that day. He asked me about my work at the pontifical council, reminding me how much needs to be done for the migrants. Within a couple of days, all bishops residing at Santa Marta were specially invited for dinner with the Pope. Thus I was lucky enough to be at his dinner table too so soon.

Indeed, more than the bliss, initially it was somewhat frightening. We would run into him unexpectedly in the corridor, the elevator, the lobby or near the dining hall. You will be worried about what to talk after the usual greetings. What sort of conversation could you possibly keep up with the Pope? Well, without a hint of formality, he could immediately put you at ease with his disarming charm and briefly say something about his day's work or what's happening. He always has a heart-warming smile for you, when he reaches out to hold your hand you feel how warm and strong that grip is.

One day I saw him holding the elevator door open, and calling out to hurry before it goes up. During the Christmas season, one evening as I was getting out of the lobby for a walk, it was already dark. And then I saw the Pope carrying a packet all by himself. Apparently, it was a Christmas present. He won't wait for any assistants to carry things for him. The day before my appointment as the Archbishop of Verapoly was officially announced, the Holy Father was about to leave for Sweden on his Apostolic visit. A sister had approached me that morning asking me whether I would be free to carry Holy Communion for Archbishop Giorgio Zur, former Apostolic nuncio to India, who was recuperating at Santa Marta after surgery following a thighbone fracture.

Usually, one of the two private secretaries of the Pope would give him communion in his room; but that day neither of them was available. I gladly agreed. I gave communion to Archbishop Zur, put the stole on my forearm and walked out of his room. There, I saw the Holy Father coming towards me through the corridor carrying a rather large leather bag. "Looks heavy, do you need help with that bag Holy Father," I offered. He said no thanks, it was fine. Then he halted, extended his free hand and touched my arm, saying: Congratulations!
For a moment I was surprised. He revealed the secret of my elevation to the new post. More thrilling than the news itself was the fact that he had recognized me instantly though I was in my black clergy suite and he remembered about my posting.

I requested for another chance to offer Mass with the Pope in his chapel before leaving for India, and it was granted. After the Mass, he congratulated me again, and spoke about his intended Apostolic visit to India next year. The schedule and itinerary were yet to be finalised. "However, I would try to visit your archdiocese too," he added. Again, I was astonished by the fact he immediately associated me with the archdiocese in Kerala. Finally, on the eve of my departure from Rome, I was saying goodbye to Archbishop Zur, who had come to the dining hall on his wheelchair, when a Cardinal who usually dines with the Pope got up to greet me. He slightly turned from the table and saw me. He raised his hand, as if in benediction, and called out saying: "Convey my regards to your mamma!" That took my breath away. I was so deeply touched. It was so overwhelming because I had requested the Holy Father to pray for my mother on my first meeting with him. And it was amazing that he had kept that in mind all these years!