“I had the grace to meet the Pope personally for the last time after his return to St. Martha’s House. It was a joy to see him in better form and hear him say: «Andrés, you have a lot of work». I replied: «Holy Father, not as much as you». He opened his lively eyes to me and immediately moved on to a few questions related to my ministry in the dicastery, which keenly interested him. He left me, thanking me for my prayer and adding, as always: «Don’t stop praying» – recalls the Chilean clergyman, Archbishop Ferrada.
A few words and a smile
He first met Pope Francis during the consistory in 2001, when the future Pope, then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, received the cardinal’s dignity. Fr. Ferrada was studying in Rome at the time. He recalls that what impressed him about Cardinal Bergoglio was the fact that, compared to other cardinals who received very long queues of congratulating guests, he was accompanied by very few people. Argentina was then going through a very serious economic and social crisis. “I remember his discreet courtesy: a few words and a smile” – adds Archbishop Ferrada, who briefly greeted him then.
Aparecida
Thanks to one of the priests who collaborated with Cardinal Bergoglio in the development of the Aparecida Document (the concluding document of the V General Conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopate in Aparecida, Brazil) in 2007, he began to admire his work as a bishop, especially for his ability to synthesize ecclesiastical tradition and openness to new things; between practice and ideas; combining popular piety and human promotion. “I believe that in the Aparecida Document, one can undoubtedly find some traces of the ideas and ecclesiastical practice that he promoted in his episcopal ministry in Buenos Aires” – indicated Archbishop Ferrada.
A peace that lasts to this day
In February 2018, Fr. Ferrada began working at the Dicastery for the Clergy. This work allowed him direct, but very discreet, contact with Pope Francis. A huge surprise was August 4, 2021, when during a visit to the papal apartment (his first, by the way) he heard the proposal to take on the role of secretary of the dicastery. This involved episcopal ordination. “It was a conversation like a father with his son. I could present my concerns to him, which came straight from the heart. For about two hours I could tell him about my life, its bright and dark sides – recalls the hierarch and adds – In the end, he looked at me and said: «All this does not prevent you from being a bishop». Immediately after, I told him that I accepted it in a spirit of peace that lasts to this day”.
The Fatherhood of the Vicar of Christ
The Chilean clergyman confessed that he particularly remembered subsequent, long meetings and two-hour conversations with the Pope, during which the main topic was not work, but the direction of his life and ministry. Archbishop Ferrada recalled: “these three meetings marked my life with the fatherhood of the shepherd embodied by Pope Francis. I believe that his tone and attitude of deep listening, as well as the acceptance, which in my case was cordial, allowed me to open up to him with trust and freedom. In this way, I experienced the fatherhood of the Vicar of Christ”. Besides, there were, of course, many short conversations on “professional topics” or the exchange of short notes and messages.
Thoughtful gestures of tenderness
There were also very informal meetings with the archbishop’s family when his mother, siblings, and nephews visited Rome over the past seven years. Especially with his mother, to whom the Holy Father always dedicated time, especially in July, when there were not so many official audiences. “I cherish in my heart these unofficial, lively conversations full of anecdotes. In many aspects, these conversations were as profound as the personal ones” – he indicated. He also lists “gestures of tenderness”, thoughtfully chosen for each person. And he lists, among others, a chalice offered to one of the chapels in the parish where his brother, a priest, serves, and an image of Our Lady of Pompeii, which Archbishop Ferrada’s mother received.
