VATICAN CITY – Deputy House Speaker Mercedes Alvarez in a brief chat with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square Wednesday.
“Lolo Kiko”
As I saw him approach us during a general audience in St. Peter’s Square, I was memorizing the things I wanted to say in my head. “Cheding, make it simple, quick and fast.”
As he inched closer and was talking to a Polish family that we met, “Cheding do not mess this up. You didn’t expect this to happen this morning but this was meant to be. Make it good.” When I was about to hold his hand, suddenly his security handed a baby between us for him to kiss.
By then crickets were chirping in my head. Blanko. Then I opened my mouth, I broke down and simply said “Lolo Kiko, Lolo Kiko, Lolo Kiko!”
And I looked up to a man with a big smile and he said: “When you say Lolo Kiko, only from the Philippines.”
My heart was in my throat, and there was such a huge, huge ball caught up in it— every wave of emotion, happiness and gratitude flooding my senses, welling up as tears. Lolo Kiko, God’s Vicar, knew. In a courtyard filled with thousands of people from every nation, he knew *us*, and that knowing spoke of the love and joy he has for everyone, and for the Philippines.
If my heart could burst with joy, it would have, at that moment: I took his hand, and in his beaming face I received every blessing for our country and family, our souls uplifted to the most High. Here was the Shepherd, and he knew his flock. Words failed me in that moment, but my faith and love did not, and Pope Francis knew it.
And uhm, Lolo Kiko will always have millions of apos of all ages kept close to his heart, and closer to God. ☺️
***
I went on this journey never realizing it will be a spiritual one, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing. The joy and peace I carry in me will be something I can bring home with me, and there is a lesson in leadership from Pope Francis that I will keep aspiring to:
I want to be that leader who connects to the people she serves, knowing who they are, and bringing peace and inspiration to them. A leader who uplifts and touches the souls of those whom she serves, and perhaps—just perhaps—inspire more to do the same. ❤️
(Originally posted by Cong. Mercedes Alvarez via her Facebook)
