Baton Rouge Reporter

Garret Graves, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Louisiana's 6th district, expressed his sorrow over the death of Pope Francis through a series of tweets on April 21, 2025. His reflections offered personal insights into a meeting he had with the Pope at the Vatican.

In a tweet regarding his visit to the Vatican, Graves stated, "Mourning the loss of Pope Francis. Had a chance to visit with him at the Vatican. It was awing to be inside this incredible building and meeting with the Holy Father. But something happened at the end that was interesting." This tweet briefly describes his experience during the visit, setting a tone of reverence for both the place and the meeting.

Graves continued in a follow-up tweet, sharing a poignant moment from the visit, "When we were leaving our meeting, he gripped my hand, looked me right in the eyes and said, 'Please pray for me'. It showed a modesty or humility that caught me off guard. I was thinking, this guy has a direct line to God, yet he asked me to pray for him." This observation from Graves highlights Pope Francis's humility despite his stature in the religious community.

In his final tweet, Graves affirmed his commitment, stating, "I did pray for him then and will continue to do so." This demonstrates Graves's personal dedication to the Pope's request.

Graves, who has represented Louisiana's 6th district in the U.S. Congress since 2015 after replacing Bill Cassidy, shares a touching account of his interaction with the late Pope, providing insight into the Pope's character and his impact on those he met.