When the Smoke Rises Again: A Reflection on Faith, Loss, and Leadership

It’s strange how grief can reach across denominational lines. Today, as the world says goodbye to Pope Francis, I find myself mourning—deeply—even though I’m Baptist, not Catholic.

Twelve years ago, the world waited with breath held for the white smoke that would announce a new pope. That smoke revealed Pope Francis, a man who carried the hope of a Church in transition. He was different from Pope Benedict—softer, more outward-facing. He tried to meet a generation that had begun to drift. Some welcomed the change. Some resisted it. But no one could deny the symbolic weight he carried.

Still, for me, it was Pope John Paul II who made the deepest impression. His charisma, his strength, and his ability to connect across political, cultural, and spiritual lines made him unforgettable. He was, to me, the embodiment of faith in motion.

Now, we return to that sacred waiting once more. The Church will deliberate. The world will watch. Many will pray.

And I do too.

Not just for the Catholic Church, but for what it means to believe in leadership—especially spiritual leadership. I pray for a pope who sees truth, who honors God, and who offers healing where there’s been pain.

Because whether Catholic, Baptist, or something else entirely—this moment reminds us all: the world is hungry for leaders who lead with humility, conviction, and heart.