Jorge Mario Bergoglio that I knew of ….

Fr. Joseph Todde, called Peppino, had a close friendship with Pope Francis, who called on the family members whenever he came to Rome, as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. At Peppino’s death on 1^st January, 2015, the familiar Francis said: “He has given so much to the Church”. That same evening, just before dinner, the phone rang at Todde House (brother Francis’). From the other end the voice sounded:  "Good evening, I am Pope Francis, I wanted to hold you close to me in your pain and express my sadness at the death of my dear friend Don Joseph, who gave so much to the Church. My blessing to him and to all of you. I always remember with pleasure the years when I came to Ciampino and his friendliness and his love for the Lord." 

Don Peppino, the pastor, had directed and cared for the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary for forty years at Ciampino, Rome. The priest who was a close friend of Pope Francis died after a long illness. The Pope loved the parishioners, young and old, Peppino’s three brothers, their children and grandchildren. Numerous Italian and Argentine priests, had the privilege of ministering to the parishioners. This author too had the privilege to render pastoral services to this parish Church for two years, during his doctoral studies (2004-2006) at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), Rome. As the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francesco Jorge Bergoglio, came to celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Ciampino, administered by the Sardinian Don Peppino Todde.

In one such occasion, during his pastoral visit to this particular Parish, I took the courage to interview Francis Bergoglio.  Prior to the conclave for electing the next Pope after the death of John Paul II he had come to Rome for an important meeting. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo was then already at Vatican for the same purpose. Simple unassuming Francis (Archbishop) and I sat in the office of the Parish Priest. I asked him about who the next Pope is going to be, and about he being the future Pope, as his name was also going around as a prominent candidate. He just ignored such presumptions, and spoke about Asia’s contribution to the Church, especially as regards to the process of inculturation, about Card. Telesphore Toppo, about Asia’s contribution to the universal Church and his close association with the Salesians.

This Kennedy Avenue Parish for years had been a point of reference for Argentine priests/clergy students, whom the national coordinator of the time, in the 90s, Monsignor Jorge Bergoglio, sent to study in Rome and to collaborate with the Parish Priest of Beata Vergine Maria del Rosario Parish, through their pastoral ministry, especially on weekends. Joseph Todde who had come to Ciampino in the 1960s, had been involved for many years in sports at the Institute of Jesus Divine Worker (Igdo), and later became pastor of the Church-Sanctuary of Blessed Virgin Mary of Kennedy Avenue. Don Peppino suffered from chronic Parkinson disease, for many years.