I was able to speak with the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal at Our Lady Queen of Angels Convent the day after Pope Francis visited with the students at the grade school there. The biggest takeaway from my conversations with them, besides their overwhelming joy (One sister said, “We are still walking on air after yesterday!”), was the intentionality with which Pope Francis greeted each individual he met. Even though he was on a rushed schedule, they said, you would never know it from the way he looked at each child and listened to what they had to tell him, as though he had all the time in the world for them. He made each of them feel valuable and loved. The sisters were so thrilled that all of their students were able to touch the pope’s hand and speak with him, and they said the kids just couldn’t stop talking about it. It was an experience they will always remember, how the Vicar of Christ bent down and listened to their stories, how he took selfies with them and gratefully accepted their notes and drawings. And you can bet they will remember the homework he gave them—to pray for him.

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