Friar Mario greets Pope Francis in Vatican City, on June 17, 2019.

Pope Francis has had a lasting impact on the Church especially, the Latin American Church. Many Latino communities mourned his passing upon learning of his death. Even before I heard the news, I received a text from a Latina theologian and social worker: “I am deeply saddened about our Pope.” With those words, I knew Pope Francis had just died. Days after his death, I received texts from other friends sharing their reasons for grieving.

“I don’t think I’ve ever grieved a Pope the way I have with Pope Francis.”

“Pope Francis has meant so much to the multiple communities I am part of; I’m a Catholic woman, a migrant, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I felt he saw and welcomed all of me.”

“Pope Francis placed his heart next to ours.”

Friars Mario and Andy with students at the 2016 Papal Mass in Ciudad Juárez, attended by 250,000.

For many, Pope Francis was the first pope to express profound awe and affection through his words, actions, and presence. As a “Lesser Brother of St. Francis,” and a minority in many ways, he also made me feel at home and empowered to engage in ministry with those often pushed to the margins.

I met Pope Francis on June 17, 2019, after our General Chapter. During our Papal Audience, he greeted each friar with a handshake and a smile. We were instructed to share our names and where we were from. I told him in Spanish that I was Friar Mario Serrano, a Franciscan ministering to university students from both sides of the US-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, and serving as a sacramental minister to the unaccompanied minors held at a humanitarian tent on a military base. His eyes teared and widened, and he rejoiced upon hearing that we Franciscans were at the border. “Oh, it is great to hear about your ministry on the periphery. Let them know I love them, and please continue to pray for me.” I was filled with tears upon hearing his words of affirmation and his great love for the people I encountered daily in ministry.

Anyone struggling to understand Pope Francis should read the Aparecida Final Document (AD), crafted under Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, president of CELAM, the Fifth Conference of Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean. CELAM holds a strong pastoral authority due to its presence and pastoral work among the people it ministers to and with. It is worth reflecting on the impact Aparecida will have on the continent of America and the Universal Church. Pope Francis is a “light for the nations” and “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). His legacy will continue to live on through those of us who seek to provide consolation to the poor and marginalized of the earth, through anyone who sees it as evangelical to work for peace and justice as missionary disciples, and through all who embrace a Christology that recognizes how to see Christ in the poor (AD 391-98).

May the Holy Spirit guide and inspire the Church in various ways, just as it guided and inspired Pope Francis and will guide and inspire the next pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, as we “recover apostolic courage and boldness” (AD, 552).

Visit the link below to explore the Aparecida Document, a powerful pastoral vision shaped by Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio before he became Pope Francis.