- 26 April, 2025
April 26, 2025
In the tranquil coastal village of Candolim in Goa, Sr. Lucy Britto enjoys a peaceful retirement after 16 years of service at the Vatican. A Goan nun belonging to the Sisters of Charity of Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenzia Gerosa, Sr. Lucy worked in the Archives Department of the Vatican Secretariat from 2004 to 2019. During these 16 years, she had the opportunity to witness three papacies, the daily rhythms of Vatican life, and personally interact with the popes.
Witnessing Three Papacies
“I worked in the archives department, sorting through the daily correspondence addressed to the Pope,” she recalls. “I sifted through a sea of mail during the tenures of three popes—John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. The daily letters were incredibly diverse, and handling them required focus and discipline throughout the year.”
As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, Sr. Lucy’s grief is a deeply personal one, for she witnessed his papacy not through media coverage but through frequent personal interactions with him.
The First Time She Saw Pope Francis
Sr. Lucy speaks fondly of her impression of Pope Francis when he made his first visit to the archives department after his election in 2013. “What I admired most about him was his simplicity. It touches you deeply," she says.
However, she quickly adds that beneath Pope Francis's simplicity was a man of profound thought and immense love. "His way of life was humble, but his mind was great and his heart, even greater," Sr. Lucy says. "And whenever he spoke, his words carried a message of hope," she added.
A Man of Compassion
Sr. Lucy recalls a moment that epitomised Pope Francis’s compassionate nature. When someone once suggested removing homeless people sleeping near St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis simply said, “Let them sleep. This is the Church of God—the Church of the people.” His concern for the poor, immigrants, and the marginalised wasn’t just rhetoric—it was lived.
Pope Francis’s Warmth Towards the Vatican Staff
Sr. Lucy mentioned that Pope Francis would visit the staff of each department at the Vatican every Christmas and Easter. "He used to meet everyone," she says. "He used to shake our hands, ask us about our work, and always had a warm smile or a light-hearted joke to share. He never made us feel small. He respected each one of us—not just for the work we do, but for who we are,” she recalls.
An Epitome of Humility
Sr. Lucy shares another moment from her time at the Vatican when Pope Francis exhibited remarkable humility. She remembers walking in a corridor at the Vatican when Pope Francis happened to be passing by. “Everyone stopped their work when he came by. I stepped aside, not sure what to do, and stood near a door. As he passed me, he smiled warmly and said, ‘I’m going for my work; you go for yours.’”
“That simple, unexpected gesture made my day,” Sr. Lucy says. “It reflected his humility and grounded nature. Even as pope, he didn’t expect special treatment. I’ll never forget that moment.”
A Special Token from Pope Francis
Another beautiful memory that Sr. Lucy shared of her many experiences with Pope Francis was of an interaction with him after a papal mass, which was celebrated on the final day of her service at the Vatican.
After the Mass, when it was her turn to greet Pope Francis, he smiled and asked her, "Sister Lucy, are you leaving?" She replied to him saying that she would be returning to India, to which he responded, "Very good, very good. Go back to your country."
Then, he did something extraordinary. He handed her a white rosary—reserved usually for cardinals and dignitaries. “Keep this as my token,” he told her. “I still have it with me. I treasure it deeply,” Sr. Lucy says.
A Man of Simplicity
Sr. Lucy reflected on Pope Francis' final wishes, noting, “He chose to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, not in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica. It was a place of personal devotion for him, and he decided that would be his final resting place.” She also expressed amazement at his choice of a simple wooden coffin, instead of the traditional practice of being buried in three nested coffins, as most popes have been for centuries.
Treasuring the Memories
Sr. Lucy concludes, “I’ve been at the Vatican for 16 years, and for six of those years, I had the blessing of being close to Pope Francis in person. Every encounter with him felt like being with a caring father.”
Her eyes shine with gratitude and a touch of sadness. “These are my experiences—precious and deeply personal. I truly had some beautiful moments with Pope Francis, and I cherish each and every one of them,” she says.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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