Denys Kolyada, a freelance advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on religious diplomacy, who calls himself a friend and brother of the late Pope Francis, was excited about the future.
Kolyada shared his experiences on his Instagram page.
The counselor noted that he thanked God for Francis, who became a testament of love for him.
"I woke up several times that night. I couldn't sleep. I prayed. I thanked God for Pope Francis. He is like Peter, who repeated one thing all his life: I love you. "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (John 21:17) The world did not always understand this. But he, like the apostle, continued: "You know everything, Lord - I love you." We lack people of love. Quiet, tireless love. In a world of war, in a world of cynicism and political intrigue, he was an island of love for me. And he remains. He became a testament of love for me," said Kolyada.
In addition, he conveyed the feelings that touched his heart before Easter.
"On Good Friday, he touched my heart. A heart that was exhausted by the long wait for an answer from him. He is sick, tired, but he has not forgotten. He made sure that I had a calm heart. "You are in my heart. I pray for you. I pass on my blessings. Pray for me too..." he said. It was hard for him. But even that he did - to give me hope. So that I would know that we would meet again. And now I know it for sure. I am sure of it. Yesterday, for a brief moment, I understood what the apostles felt when Christ returned to the Father's house. The pain of loss and at the same time the joy of love. They lost a Friend, not only the Lord. The One who rose and was with them, ascended, leaving them a promise: The Comforter Spirit will come. And will continue His work," Kolyada noted.
I am also convinced that Christians live in that presentiment all the time. Therefore, I ask the Lord to worthily carry this legacy of love.
"We Christians always live in this foreboding. When someone goes to the Father's House, we cry because we do not see. But we believe that we will meet. And that the love of the Comforter Spirit continues to live between us. I do not know what my tomorrow will be like without Brother Francis. This scares me. But I know and believe: in eternity we will be together. Because he loved me, and I loved him. I cry because I do not see. Like Magdalene in the garden. I cry because I believe that I will see. Like the apostles who were granted a meeting with the Risen One. I ask only one thing from the Lord: let me worthily carry this legacy of love that Pope Francis left me," Kolyada emphasized.
By the way, Kolyada is going to write a book about the Pope , where, in particular, he will reveal what Francis's help to Ukraine really was.