‘I felt something had changed. I was not the same.’

June 1, 2025

By Pope Francis

June 1, 2025

I had the great blessing of growing up in a family in which faith was lived in a simple, practical way. However, it was my paternal grandmother in particular who influenced my journey of faith. She was a woman who explained to us, who talked to us about Jesus, who taught us the catechism. … The first proclamation is at home, in the family! And this makes me think of the love of so many mothers and grandmothers in the transmission of faith.

One day in particular, though, was very important to me: Sept. 21, 1953. I was almost 17. It was “Students’ Day.” Before going to the celebration, I passed through the parish I normally attended, I found a priest that I did not know, and I felt the need to go to confession. For me this was an experience of encounter: I found that someone was waiting for me. … After making my confession, I felt something had changed. I was not the same. I had heard something like a voice, or a call. I was convinced that I should become a priest.

Pope Francis
Address on Vigil of Pentecost, May 18, 2013

Father Christopher Murphy, Diocese of Providence.

‘I felt something had changed. I was not the same.’

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