Nope, the Pope did not sign a drawing I sent to him in 2015.  I thought it best to mention that up-front. Despite my lack of success I’ve been thinking of posting my pontiff piece anyway. A quick sweep of the internet indicated that Pope Francis has signed on a few occasions, so it was not an activity he avoided. There have been seven popes so far in my lifetime, dating back to Pope Pius XII. I don’t usually include popes or politicians on my collection list, but somehow Francis appealed to me.

With subdued optimism I did this quick sketch and mailed it to Vatican. Obviously, I wasn’t alone in this elevated, exulted pursuit.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001 after serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and was cardinal priest of San Roberto Bellarmino in Rome until he was elected as the pope on 13 March 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He has always been known for his humility and his concern for the poor and his commitment to social justice and building bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs and faiths. While Bishop he had a simple lifestyle, living in a small apartment rather than the elegant bishop’s residence, cooking his own meals and taking public transport. He chose the name Francis to honour St. Francis of Assisi.

I noticed he did sign a young boy’s cast as he left a Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis in time to preside over the Palm Sunday and Easter Masses in St Peter’s Square earlier this year. I now know what to do to achieve my goal.