Jony Sagayaraj Rajamanickam

When Jorge Mario Bergoglio stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on the evening of March 13, 2013, after being elected as Pope Francis, the world witnessed something different. After greeting the crowd with a simple “Buonasera”, the newly elected pope bowed his head and said, “Pray for me.” That moment was both spontaneous and deeply symbolic and it became a recurring refrain throughout his papacy: “Non dimenticatevi di pregare per me.” (Do not forget to pray for me).

What began as a humble request on the night of his election in March 2013 became one of the most enduring refrains of his pontificate. Repeated in nearly every speech, homily, and public appearance, this simple phrase has come to define not only the personality of the first Jesuit and Latin American Pope but the very soul of his pontificate: humble, deeply spiritual, and radically human.

What made the phrase striking was not just its simplicity, but its reversal of expectations. Traditionally, the Pope, as the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics, blesses and prays for others. Yet here was the Pope, asking the world to pray for him. This inversion resonated with many as a sign of authentic servant leadership. It reflected the pope’s preferred image of the Church as a “field hospital” and his vision of authority as rooted in service, not power.

As Pope Francis aged and faced increasing health concerns-most notably colon surgery, hospitalization for respiratory infections and continued mobility issues- the phrase took on new emotional and spiritual weight. When asked about his suffering, he never dramatized his condition. Instead, he often offered a quiet smile and repeated, “Pray for me.” Pope Francis’ final hospitalization for a life-threatening case of double pneumonia bothered the Catholics round the globe. Following the invitation given by this phrase, People started to pray for him gathering in front of the hospital and in Vatican Square. During the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández on his turn to lead the prayers reminded Pope’s invitation by quoting this phrase.

This expression was also indeed quoted during Pope Francis’ funeral homily. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who delivered the homily at the Requiem Mass, concluded with these words, highlighting how Pope Francis often ended his audiences and meetings with this humble request. Cardinal Re then reversed the sentiment, saying:

“Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us. May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world from heaven…”