Duo, consisting of a person and Francesco, visited Iraq and confronted a grieving mother who had tragically lost her children.
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Monsignor Filippo Ciampanelli, the latest bishop appointed by Pope Francis, found himself in the spotlight when the Pope passed away earlier this week. Ordained as bishop in February, Ciampanelli now oversees Catholic communities of rites other than Latin as the Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches. During his visit to his hometown of Novara, he received the news of the Pope's demise just before leading the final Mass at his native parish of Sant'Antonio.
When asked if he had heard Pope Francis' frequent plea for prayers during one of his public speeches, specifically on January 9, Ciampanelli reminisced about the memory. He admitted that he had first heard the appealing phrase while working at the Secretariat of State during the pandemic. The Pope, struggling to read catecheses, sought assistance from the secretariat, and Ciampanelli was among those called upon. The last conversation with Francis was on January 9, a day that still stands out in his mind.
"He called me 'Excellency,' jokingly, as he was aware that my bishop appointment was imminent. Yet, it perfectly encapsulates his unique and honest style. After a casual exchange, he expressed gratitude, 'thank you, thank you very much,'" said Ciampanelli.
Though he has resided in Rome for years, Ciampanelli maintains a deep bond with Novara. He shared a humorous exchange with the Pope regarding his Piedmontese roots. During their brief conversation, the Pope acknowledged their geographical distance but emphasized their close connection.
Ciampanelli fondly described Pope Francis as a genuine person, straightforward and direct. Meeting him was an unaffected, unpretentious experience. The Pope's genuine nature was evident as he would skip the formalities like bows or titles, choosing instead to inquire about one's well-being and delve directly into the matters at hand.
One of Ciampanelli's most memorable trips with the Pope was to Iraq in 2021, a daunting journey marked by risk and opposition. Despite these challenges, the Pope exhibited resilience and determination, choosing to visit the tormented country to offer comfort and hope to its suffering residents. This trip reinforced Ciampanelli's belief in the Pope's mission to "give people a caress."
During their time in Iraq, Pope Francis showed special concern for the victims of ISIS, particularly the mothers who had lost children and publicly forgiven their attackers in front of him. The Pope's compassion was evident as he empathized with the holy people of God, who waited patiently for hours, praying and singing.
Looking ahead, Ciampanelli hopes that Francis' messages of mercy, peace, and joy will find a lasting impact beyond mere words. The hallmark of Francis' pontificate, according to Ciampanelli, has been the emphasis on mercy, an embodiment of God's love free of criticism. The Pope's message of peace encourages diligent heart-focused peacekeeping, rejecting the call to battle "evil." Lastly, the Gospel of joy calls for the cultivation of hope, received as a gift and shared with others.
Reflecting on the Pope's legacy, Ciampanelli sees Francis as a inspiration, favoring a return to simplicity, radicalness, and the purity of the Gospel. He wants the Pope to be remembered simply as Francis, echoing St. Francis of Assisi's philosophy of "without additions."
While broader insights into Monsignor Filippo Ciampanelli's views on Pope Francis' key characteristics and messages were not available, it is known that Pope Francis is generally known for advocating ecumenism, social justice, and environmental stewardship throughout his papacy. He has been a strong proponent of mercy, compassion, and global issues like poverty and climate change.
- Despite his years in Rome, the average time Ciampanelli spends in his hometown of Novara remains significant, as evident in his recent humor-filled exchange with the Pope about their Piedmontese roots.
- In a programmatic departure from traditional Church protocols, Pope Francis often skipped ceremonial gestures like bows or titles during their interactions, focusing instead on discussing the matters at hand with genuine concern for Ciampanelli's well-being.
- The lifestyle of Pope Francis is characterized by his relentless advocacy for ecumenism, social justice, and environmental stewardship, influencing people around the world and inspiring hope for positive change.
- The model hospitalization trip for Ciampanelli was the Pope's demanding journey to Iraq in 2021, where he bravely offered comfort and hope to the suffering residents amidst risks and opposition, exemplifying the importance of giving others a caress in trying times.
