'It's like I've lost a close family member': How the death of Pope Francis affects this Sydney faithful

Sydneysider Violi Calvert feels blessed having seen Pope Francis twice in her lifetime during visits to Vatican City. Credit: SBS Filipino and Violi Calvert

SBS Filipino

View Podcast Series

Get the SBS Audio app

Other ways to listen

"It felt really like losing a very close member of your family," church volunteer and community leader Violi Calvert expresses deep sorrow upon hearing the news of Pope Francis's passing.

Key Points

Sydney resident Violi Calvert visited the Vatican and attended the Papal Mass in 2014 and 2023.
The church volunteer was hopeful that Pope would recover from illness after weeks of hospitalisation. She was shocked to learn of the Pope's passing.
The community leader will never forget the Pope's humility and acceptance of all people regardless of their background and socio-economic status.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

'It's like I've lost a close family': Pagpanaw ni Pope Francis naka-apekto sa nananampalatayang ito image

'It's like I've lost a close family member': How the death of Pope Francis affects this Sydney faithful

SBS Filipino

23/04/202515:50

Up to now, I'm still grieving for my mother and my father, whom I've lost years ago, and that sense of loss seems to be the same intensity, hearing about Pope Francis's passing.
Violi Calvert

Though deeply saddened by the loss of Pope Francis, the devoted Catholic reflects fondly on the joyful memories of having seen him twice.

"In 2014, we visited Rome, together with Father Vladimir Echalas, before we joined a cruise. We attended the Papal Mass. It was a surreal experience for me when the Papal vehicle came so close to us.

"He was not hurried. He was interacting with people, looking us in the eyes as he walked past, and he was waving at us," Violi recalls.

It was a feeling that, 'Wow, maybe I can die now because I have seen the Pope and he was so Holy.

During her second visit to the Vatican, Violi joined a Marian pilgrimage and once again heard the mass celebrated by the Pope.

"I’m so blessed to have seen our Pope twice in my lifetime, and it was so hard to explain. It's almost like seeing an apparition, if you want to call it that."

Violi Calvert (middle photo) with friend, Father Vladimir Echalas, attending the Papal mass in Vatican City. Credit: Violi Calvert

The devout Catholic will never forget the Pope's sincere connection and love for all people, regardless of their background or status in life.

"Personally, having married a divorcee, I never considered myself a sinner, marrying somebody who was divorced before.

I'm touched by his kind words to people. As he would say, you are in that situation not of your own making, and God loves you, and you project your love for God in the way you live. It's how you live."