By Fr. Mathibela Sebothoma, Pretoria

As Catholics around the world lift their hearts in prayer for Pope Francis, whose health has shown encouraging signs of improvement, the faithful are pausing to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of a pontiff whose humility, pastoral care, and deep compassion have touched millions. Known for his humane approach and unwavering commitment to justice and inclusivity, Pope Francis remains a beacon of hope and love in a world often marked by division.

In a moving interview on Newzroom Afrika with journalist Linda Mnisi, Dr. Sheila Leocádia Pires, Communications Officer for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), offered a glimpse into the tender humanity of the Holy Father. Having forged a personal bond with the pope over the years, Dr. Pires spoke with reverence and affection about a leader who embodies the role of a shepherd to his global flock.

“For us Catholics, Pope Francis is not just the leader of the Church. He is much more than that. He is the successor of Saint Peter the Apostle, and he is a father to all in the Church. He is the one we all aspire to go to, to pray for, and to ask that he pray for us to lead and guide us,” she said. Beyond his spiritual authority, she highlighted his broader influence: “The Vatican is not only a place that deals with prayer, but it also deals with international affairs. Pope Francis embodies that. He is the President of the Vatican, the head of the Church on earth, and I think he is one of those popes that we all feel a deep closeness to.”

Dr. Pires first met Pope Francis in 2018 while working as a journalist for Johannesburg-based Radio Veritas. That initial encounter planted the seeds of a relationship that would flourish through her advocacy for women in the Church—a cause close to the pontiff’s heart. “I remember very well in 2018 being part of different women’s groups calling for equality for women in the Church. Since then, I have been writing and conducting interviews about the need to include more women in leadership positions. We also wanted to see women from the Global South appointed by the Vatican, not just European women,” she recalled.

Her persistence and faith were rewarded during the Synod on Synodality in 2023, when Pope Francis, in a groundbreaking move, appointed her as Secretary of the Commission for Information. “There he was. At the very first assembly, Pope Francis announced the appointment of a female, and a black female, as spokesperson for the Synod of Bishops. That person is me,” she said, her voice tinged with both pride and gratitude. This historic step underscored the pope’s commitment to lifting up voices from the margins—a hallmark of his humble, pastoral leadership.

Dr. Pires’ role brought her into intimate conversations with the pontiff, revealing his compassionate and approachable nature. One memory stood out vividly: “At the Synod on Synodality, I spoke to him about the elections in Mozambique. I asked, ‘Would you mind doing a video message to the people in Mozambique as they head to the polls?’ He said, ‘Sure.’ We just did it. A video in Portuguese—he spoke in Portuguese,” she shared. As a Mozambican native, Dr. Pires often conversed with Pope Francis in her mother tongue, deepening their connection.

His humanity shone even brighter in personal gestures. During the Synod, Pope Francis took time for a video call with Dr. Pires’ mother and later penned a personal note to her son. “These are the things that show his heart,” she said softly. Yet, amid such warmth, one phrase echoed in every exchange: “Please pray for me.” Dr. Pires noted, “One thing that Pope Francis always does whenever he speaks to you is to say, ‘Please remember me in your prayers. Pray for me.’ It’s his constant request—a humble reminder that he, too, relies on us.”

As the Vatican reported this week that Pope Francis “slept well last night” and his condition shows “a further, slight improvement,” Dr. Pires expressed a sentiment shared by many. “It’s quite sad, but at the same time, as Catholics, we are people of hope. We live in this Jubilee Year, and we pray and have faith that all will be well, that he will come out of this, and that God’s will be done,” she said.

Pope Francis’ legacy is one of a shepherd who walks among his sheep—humble, pastoral, and profoundly humane. Whether washing the feet of prisoners, embracing the poor, or listening to the hopes of a journalist from the Global South, he has shown the world what it means to lead with a servant’s heart. As the faithful await further news of his recovery, they hold fast to the compassion and love he has sown, trusting that this gentle father of the Church will continue to guide them with his quiet strength.