Many years ago, when I first became a religion columnist for the Deseret News, I told one of my golfing buddies there were three religious souls I hoped to see in person before I was done.
“Let me guess,” he said. “Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
“Nice try,” I said. “No, the three souls are Billy Graham, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama.”
Almost 20 years have passed since then. I saw Billy Graham in Kansas City during his final crusade. I never did see Mother Teresa, and the jury’s still out on the Dalai Lama. I hear he’s coming to Salt Lake City, so there’s still a chance there.
I mention this because Pope Francis is slated to visit the United States in September and pilgrims will be boarding planes, trains and automobiles and heading east just to catch a glimpse of him. That's all they want — a glimpse.
I wish them well. Something about seeing special souls stays with a person forever. And I would love to see Pope Francis, the man who, like a spiritual Hercules, is lifting the entire Catholic Church. Perhaps one day I will.
Still, as a consolation, I remember all the other great souls I’ve seen.
I saw Pope Benedict XVI. He was speaking far, far away on St. Peter’s Square in Rome as my wife and I inched along the line toward the Sistine Chapel. And I spent four days looking at Pope John Paul II in Denver when he came for World Youth Day. I even have photos I took of him on display.
I never did see Pope John XXIII, which I regret. And it would have been nice to be able to salute Henri J.M. Nouwen — one of the finest Catholic writers of the past 50 years. He’s gone now.
As for other faiths, I spoke with Eugene Peterson, the legendary Protestant pastor, writer, teacher and translator. And I chatted up poet Maya Angelou, the queen of American spirituality, on the phone. And I'd probably give up my left pinky just to go back and spend a few minutes with singer Mahalia Jackson.
I did get to shake the hand of President Spencer W. Kimball of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was in the old Hotel Utah when he happened by.
“President Kimball,” I said, extending my hand, “I’m Jerry Johnston. I work for the Deseret News.”
He looked me square in the eye, as he did everyone.
“Well, good for you,” he said, then he hurried on to his appointment.
To bring things full circle, I think my chance to meet Pope Francis will now depend more on my health than on his. As I get older, the spiritual patriarchs and matriarchs all seem to get younger.
When the LDS Church names two new apostles, for instance, I’m pretty sure I’ll be older than both of them. In fact, if they’re called at the same age that current President Thomas S. Monson was called, I won’t be that shy of being older than both of them put together.
I better get a glimpse of them while I can still see.
Email: jerjohn@deseretnews.com