Vatican presentation of the spiritual/mystical foundation of the life of Pope Francis which is symbolized in the words “miserando atque eligendo” of his seal

“In fact, on the Feast of St. Matthew [September 21] in the year 1953, the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio experienced at the age of 17 years, in a very special way, the loving presence of God in his life.

“Following a confession, he felt his heart touched and sensed the descent of the mercy of God, who with a look of tender love, called him to the religious life, following the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola.”

In these few, spare words, we are told of an experience which transformed the life of young Jorge.

He felt his heart “touched” and he “sensed” the “descent of the mercy of God.”

He felt, “in a very special way,” the “loving presence of God in his life.”

He felt, we are told, as if God were gazing upon him, “with a look of tender love.”