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This happened on the 21st or the 22nd of February. I was on the "D" line of the subway. The train was almost full, as always happens around mid-morning. Two stops before the "9th of July" station, I noticed a prelate with jacket, black pants, and clerical collar next to the train door.
"I know that priest," I thought to myself. How surprised I was to see that it was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio. I doubted. How could he commute in this way and practically without anyone knowing?
I came close to him and I asked him, "Excuse me, would you happen to be Cardinal Bergoglio?"
He said, "Yes."
I could not keep being surprised. He was holding the rosary beads on one hand as he held the handrail with the other. I could only touch him in the arm and tell him that it was an honour to meet him.
"Please pray for me," he said.
I got off the train, so moved to greet a "papabile" cardinal, and to witness his humility and simplicity.
A lady ran up to me and asked if it was Cardinal Bergoglio.
"Yes," I said, "and he asked us to pray for him."
The day before yesterday, my daughter called me to tell me that Monsignor Bergoglio was the new Pope. I was deeply moved and proud to have know the actual guide of the Catholic Church just weeks before his election.
My most humble respect to Your Holiness, Francis.
--Andrés Enrique Scotto
