A Texas nun who advocates immigrants is making an unexpected trip to Rome for Pope Francis’s funeral a decade after the Pontiff praised her during an ABC 2015 news event.
Sister Norma Pimentel has been the face of immigrants in southern Texas for more than a decade, supervising the Rio Grande Valley in her role as Cholic Charisies executive director.
Look at the live coverage of ABC News of the funeral for Pope Francis on Saturday from 3:30 am et in ABC stations and the transmission in ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.
In this archive photo of February 26, 2020, Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Baleful Organizations of the Rio Grande Valley, poses for a portrait while visiting the Shaughnessy Family Center in Laboure in South Boston.
Boston Globe through Getty Images, Archive
Speaking to ABC News on Thursday, Pimentel recalled his work with migrant families in 2014 when he helped the border patrol to respond to large groups of families that arrive in poor condition, mainly from El Salvador. He highlighted the community’s response in Sacred Heart Parish Hall and discussed the impact of Pope Francis’s support.
“I visited Rome and wrote cards and sent a video message,” Pimentel told ABC News. “After that, they invited the Vatican a couple of times to speak and I also met the Holy Father.”
Pimentel pointed out the Pope’s personal connection with the struggles of migrants and their constant impulse for empathy when dealing with refugees.
His response to the 2014 influx is what called the Pope’s eye, and he pointed it out during a Virtual ABC News 2015 audience to praise his work.
“I want to thank you,” said the Pope through an interpreter. “And through you thank all the sisters of religious orders in the United States for the work you have done and what you do in the United States. It’s great. I congratulate you. Be brave. Avanza.”
From that moment on, the two remained in touch and was invited to visit the Vatican several times.
Sister Norma Pimental shows during an interview with ABC News.
ABC News
Pimentel pointed out the family history of Pope Francis, son of Italian citizens who emigrated to Argentina.
“He connected with immigrants,” Pimentel said.
Not long after being chosen as leader of the Catholic Church in 2013, Pope Francis visited Lampedusa, Italy, along the dangerous route that many migrants traveled to reach Europe.
During his visit, he met with migrants and condemned the “globalization of indifference.” He urged the world to recognize these people as human people and beings, not only as refugees.
The Pontiff also recognized Pimentel’s work with immigrants on the border between the United States and Mexico, where he helped provide refuge, food and comfort to thousands of migrants in crisis.
Pimentel recognized his sadness and pain for the death of the Pope, noting that he unexpectedly had the opportunity to attend his funeral on Saturday. At 12 hours after his death on Monday, a stranger called his office and asked to sponsor his trip to the ceremony. A journalist who traveled with the Pope also offered him a place to stay.
“So, I will represent everyone. You know, I go because I want to be there as one of us who will be by his side at this time,” he said. “And then I bring all the love and tears of all, from the (Valle del Río Grande) from here, from the valley.”
