When Love Spoke Without Words: My Time with Pope Francis

{An experience shared by Mr Percival Holt, former National President of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement.}

Meeting Pope Francis was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. When I first saw him in person, I was struck by his nobility, simplicity, and deep sense of love. There was something different about him—a unique charm, a holy presence. I could truly see Jesus in him. My heart overflowed, and I found myself unable to fully grasp the sacredness of that moment.

In the moments leading up to our meeting, I felt a mix of being overwhelmed and deeply humbled. Despite the language barrier, he communicated something far more powerful—love. It radiated from his very being. Talking with him felt like speaking with love itself.

We spoke briefly but meaningfully. I shared how much the youth of India love him and about the small gift I presented on their behalf. We discussed the vibrant youth movements in India, the activities and stories of transformation, and how the Church is walking with the young. His warmth and genuine interest made every word feel heard.

What stayed with me most weren’t grand gestures, but his simplicity. I remember him walking alone with his umbrella, without security or formality. One day, he came to our table during a coffee break, picked up a snack, and started chatting. On another occasion, he curiously asked what one of us was sipping from a bottle and took a sip himself—it was a local herbal drink. And late one night, he stayed up till 2 a.m. reading reports from the Synod. That’s who he is—authentic, humble, and tireless.

Meeting him transformed my outlook on life and faith. It reminded me that holiness is found in simplicity, in love, in service. It's not about positions or power, but about the relationships we build and the hearts we touch. Real evangelisation isn’t just talking about God—it’s making people want to know God by the way we live.

His energy, even in his mid-eighties, was astounding—a true grace. We mostly met informally—in corridors, at tea breaks during Synod sessions. These spontaneous moments were genuine, unscripted, Spirit-filled.

I received his blessing twice—once in a quiet corridor and once with a heartfelt message for the youth of India. It was deeply moving.

To anyone who once dreamt of meeting him: it was indeed possible. But even for those who didn’t, I realised this—when one sat with the poor, chose simplicity, and loved without conditions, they were already close to him. Because that was where he truly was—with the humble and the forgotten. That was Pope Francis.

By Percival Holt

Image credits: Vatican News