By Katie Vasquez
Father Francisco Walker celebrates morning Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Woodhaven.
Praying for Pope Francis after hearing about his passing. It was a shock to the Queens priest who also hails from Argentina.
“I think he spoke with conviction, and he put his life and his ministry in very, very dangerous places just to witness the love of Christ,” said Father Francisco Walker, the pastor of St Thomas the Apostle Church.
When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, Father Walker felt a sense of pride that one of his countrymen had been made a pontiff.
“A friend of mine texted me, ‘You have an Argentine pope,’ so I ran to the television,” said Father Walker, “and that’s when I have flashbacks of, “Oh, he came to my home.'”
He never met Pope Francis in person, but knows many friends and family who knew Father Jorge Bergoglio.
“I have my sister, and my brother, my uncle having contact with him,” said Father Walker.
Father Walker says stories about the Argentine Archbishop can be found on almost every corner.
His uncle, who was also a Jesuit, once brought the future pontiff home to meet the family.
“He love pasta, Italian food, red wine, bread, baguettes,” said Father Walker.
Even after Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio left Argentina and became Pope Francis, Father Walker says he’s still bringing people back to the pews.
“Now they come back, they feel another door has been opened for them,” said Father Walker.
It’s a bond between the pope and his people that many wouldn’t understand.
“I see one almost crying. A lady from Mexico used to help us in the rectory, I say, ‘what happened? what’s going on?’ and she said to me, ‘finally we will have a pope that will understand us now,” said Father Walker.
In the end, Father Walker feels the holy father will be remembered for his kindness.
“You know, Pope Francis, but I would say, perhaps the shepherd, the merciful shepherd, will be what he wants to be called,” said Father Walker.
And he trusts that the next pope chosen will follow the teachings of Christ just as Pope Francis did.