In a very personal reflection, Dr Brian Stiller, Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance, recounts a memorable meeting with Pope Francis, highlighting his humility, love for Jesus, and commitment to serving others, especially the marginalized.

As our small group finished our brief time with Pope Francis, I wondered why he was lingering, so I waited and watched. It turned out that he was waiting for us to leave so that he could turn out the lights and close the door, a task not too small for this global pastor.Pope Francis has now left us after his 12 years as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, a church with whom evangelicals have many deep doctrinal disagreements, for example, in how we understand the meaning of ecclesia, or the role faith plays in being justified in Christ. However, like Billy Graham, he was a religious leader for all seasons, sharing words of counsel reaching hearts far beyond his Catholic flock.My personal sadness aligns with the world’s grief upon his passing. His affection was evident. He deeply loved Jesus. His leadership had an uncommon gentleness; his instinctive pastoral heart, without apology, wrapped its arms around those in need. However, his gentle heart was not averse to utter sharp prophetic announcements—calling out some of his curia, speaking bluntly to those in his clergy establishment whom he considered to be out of line with Christ’s calling. When toughness was needed, he was no shrinking violet.In my brief personal contact with Francis, I saw a person who integrated interest of others with a toughness of vision and truth.

But how did a Pentecostal preacher's son from Saskatchewan end up having a two-hour noon lunch and conversation with this Pope? It was at Francis’s initiation. He wanted to build deeper relationships with evangelicals, so several of us from the WEA were invited to the Vatican—purely for fellowship. There was no particular plan or strategy; it was just to get to know each other better. The night before our meeting, at dinner our host received a call. Later, we learned it was the pontiff himself, checking to see if we needed anything.