Indo-American Couple based in Rome Reminisce Fond Memories of Their Former Boss – Pope Francis

On April 26, Rome stood still as Pope Francis, the beloved shepherd of the Catholic Church, was laid to rest following a deeply moving Requiem Mass at St. Peter’s Square. Among the tens of thousands mourning his passing were John and Ashley Noronha, a remarkable couple whose personal and professional encounters with the late pontiff left an indelible mark on their lives.

John, originally from Bangalore, India, and Ashley, a native of the United States, have lived in Rome since 2008. A techie by qualification, John left a high-level position at Verizon Global Communications in the U.S. to pursue studies in Philosophy, Theology and Bioethics. He now teaches these subjects at various pontifical and other universities in Rome.

Ashley is also a professor and has been the Rome Correspondent for Relevant Radio since 2012. Besides this, she also formerly served as the English-language official at the Pontifical Council for Social Communications at the Holy See. In this position, she worked under Pope Benedict XVI and later under Pope Francis.

Ashley and John’s unique vocations resulted in them forming close working relationships with the Vatican—and with Pope Francis himself.

Ashley’s First Encounter With the Late Pontiff

Speaking to Catholic Connect from Rome, Ashley fondly recalls her first personal encounter with the late pontiff.

"I first met Pope Francis in his private chapel at Casa Santa Marta," she said. "We were invited to greet him after a private Mass he had presided over. 

“The Elderly Are Like Trees”: Pope Francis' Catechesis That Deeply Touched Ashley

As the Rome Correspondent for Relevant Radio for the past 14 years, Ashley attended countless Wednesday General Audiences at St. Peter’s Square. However, one particular audience that stood out for her was part of a catechesis series in which Pope Francis spoke about the elderly.

“During this particular audience, Pope Francis spoke beautifully about the wisdom and dignity of old age, saying, ‘The elderly are like trees that continue to bear fruit,’” Ashley shared. “He also stated that: ‘To serve human life is to serve God in life at every stage, from the womb of the mother to the suffering and the sickness of old age’."

His words left a lasting impression on Ashley, emphasising the value of human life at every stage from the 'womb to the tomb'. 

Ashley added that Pope Francis’ words proved true in the final days of his life. “Earlier this week, around 80-100,000 teenagers gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Teenagers. Many of them were eagerly waiting to witness the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis on April 26. Instead, they witnessed the burial of an elderly pope. This helped them understand Pope Francis' teaching on the sanctity of every stage of life,” she shared.

John's Personal Experiences with The Late Pontiff

Ashley's husband, John, also had several personal experiences with Pope Francis. Shortly after his election in 2013, Pope Francis asked John to serve as one of nine lay experts on a 13-month-long special commission tasked with studying the Vatican’s operations and recommending necessary reforms.

"Although most of our conversations were strictly work-related, on several occasions Pope Francis personally asked me to pray for him – the same request he made to the whole world on the day of his election, when he said in Italian, 'Pregate per me!'", John recalls.

Gifts from the Heart: Tokens of Friendship from Pope Francis

Pope Francis also gave John several thoughtful gifts. "He also gifted me some special items, including a rosary he had blessed, a small replica of his pectoral cross, and — knowing of my expertise in technology - a cleverly designed USB flash drive with the Vatican logo on it," John said. "The flash drive was shaped like a slim business card, and its flat USB connector could be flipped out easily when required. It was perfectly sized to fit into a wallet," he added.

As the world mourns Pope Francis, the memories John and Ashley Noronha carry illuminate the heart of a man who led as a shepherd, whose simple yet profound legacy of love will continue to bear fruit for generations to come.

By Steve Antao