During his visit to Slovakia, Pope Francis stopped briefly at the Retret House in Prešov and greeted the Jesuit brothers, all the staff and volunteers who were in the house at the time. Among the volunteers were four of our sisters – Sr. Fides, sr. Joachima, sr. Kinga and sr. Anežka. The sisters had a beautiful, unexpected encounter with Pope Francis.
Sister Joachima Senko CJ said of the meeting: “Holy Father Francis came in full of joy, although it was obvious that he was tired. He immediately ran to us sisters and asked what kind of religious order we were, when we answered he told us that he knew one of our sisters (I don’t remember where they met and where she was from, but he immediately opened his breviary and showed us a postcard she had written to him when he was going through something difficult.
He gave his look, his word, his handshake to each, to each of us. He was interested in everything.
I felt it like the touch of heaven and earth. His gentle radiance, the firmness of his personality and the look of merciful love. “
„During Pope Francis’ visit to Slovakia in 2021, I was given the opportunity to personally greet the Holy Father. It was a powerful experience at the end of my retreat.“
Sr. Marta Hešková
