He remembers the wall of Norma Pimintel, “I love you” for Pope Francis

Deborara Castilo Lubov – Vatican News

“Pope Francis left us noticeable with this sense of responsibility and commitment to saving humanity, and speaking on behalf of many who remain despicable, rejected or ignored, and we say:” No. We must know how to respect life, respect people and offer them the hug that hugs that God gives. “

She was expressed by Sister Norma Pimitel, the American -American Catholic nun and a member of the missionary group of Jesus, who is the executive director of the Rio Grande Valley Houses in Texas, during an interview with Vatican News After the death of the Holy Father.

In her work, Norma was essential in providing humanitarian aid to migrants along the border between the United States and Mexico. His work includes providing a shelter for emergency, food, medical care and legal assistance to thousands of immigrants looking for a shelter in the United States.

In the international level, in May 2024, he gave a major speech at the second general assembly of Talitha Kum in Rome, where he participated in his experiences and contemplated human trafficking and the difficult situation of immigrants.

In the interview, Bimintl’s sister – who was appointed one of the 100 most influential people in the world by the magazine time In 2020 – he remembers how Pope Francis, a good friend, was one of his greatest defenders.

Sister Norma, many people moved for the sacred father, but you have a fairly distinguished friendship with Pope Francis. At this moment from your departure, what memories do you keep?

Thanks for asking her. It is really a very sad moment, and its departure feels deeply, because it was an incredible presence for all of us, especially in my life. It was present in a very beautiful way, when my choice, and the recognition of the work we are doing here in South Texas, with many of us join us to respond and welcome many migratory families that came to our society, here on the borders. He saw her, confessed to her, and he wanted to thank, not just saying thanks, but he said: “I love you so much.” “Keep doing what you are doing.” “You are amazing.” “Please, continue.”
I think it is one way or another.

It was so encouraging that he was so in my life that I think I will continue to do more and follow his example. He was always very modest, very generous and defending the poor, among the most innocent and fragile people in our current world. I have always seen a continuous incentive to continue making us hear and do everything possible to defend life and the most vulnerable and innocent people who suffer in our current world.

Can he explain, your sister, her work and how do you think Pope Francis will accompany her from the top in the future?

I am on the borders of the United States with Mexico, directly in South Texas, and since I am on the border, there are many families that migrate from all over the world, especially Central America. It has started with many countries in Central America such as Guatemala, Honduras and Salvador, but it continued with many other people from others, and other parts of the world.

But it was a place where people came after long weeks and perhaps months. When they reached the border, they were in a very sad state of the need for help, and when they entered the United States, there was a border patrol (which was carried out) to address it, and in many cases they were granted permission to continue their journey and legalize their status and work at least, and they were brought to us by the border patrol … “.

So I can organize an answer we all made, here in our society, by welcoming them, praising them and making them enter a safe place where they were received with smiles and hugs. We had hundreds of thousands of them.

Over the ten years we were doing, and since Pope Francis really recognized, the work that was done here on the United States borders with Mexico. It was nice to see people being destroyed, wounded for life and the people who benefit from them and to restore their dignity to care, love and attention that we provide to them.

It was something that everyone met in our society and wanted to help and wants to make a change in the lives of many people, and many families and children … Therefore, Pope Francis remains this strength within us to do this, and encourage others to do the same, what we call.

Pope Francis left us with this sense of responsibility and commitment to save humanity, and talk on behalf of many who remain destroyed and distant or refused and say: “No.” We have to know how to respect life and respect people and offer them hug that God gives us. This love that we receive from God is to give it, so that others who need it gets it.

Sister, who was, in some way, is a beautiful summary of the heritage of Pope Francis. There is something you want to add about its effect, and in particular, how did the Holy Father acknowledge and highlight the religious for some time they have?

You know that Pope Francis was very fast in realizing religious work around the world, especially we are in the United States. The sisters were recognized by Pope Francis when he realized the work we were doing, and in fact he said: “Thank you, sisters. Thank you for doing the amazing work you do with people and putting the difference in our societies that show them this love, loves God …”.

Thus, women around the world were recognized by the Holy Father in a very beautiful way, which gave us a place, a special place in the church, and I think we are very blessed because we were the Holy Son.