As final preparations unfold for the May 7 papal conclave at St. Peter’s Basilica, 13-year-old Simone Gabriele Caalaman reflected on a life-changing moment: a personal encounter with Pope Francis during a school visit to the Vatican in 2019.
Then just 7 years old, Simone was chosen by his Roman school to address the Pope. “It was a big privilege,” he said.
After his speech, Pope Francis warmly patted Simone’s head and, to his astonishment, removed his own white zucchetto—the skullcap worn by Popes—and placed it on Simone’s head.
“I was frozen for a moment: He gave me a signature piece of his attire,” Simone recalled.
Since then, Simone, a top-performing Filipino student whose family migrated to Italy, has developed a deep interest in the Roman Catholic Church. “When I’m not studying, I look up random things about church vestments, church history, and other peculiarities of the Roman Church. I dare say, it’s very refreshing,” he said.
He believes the moment marked a spiritual turning point for his family. “It deepened our faith… I prayed more, trusted more in God, and read scripture more,” he shared.
His father, Christian Caalaman, showed the special box where they keep the zucchetto. He confirmed their belief that blessings—especially financial—began flowing after the encounter. “It was the intercession,” Simone added.
With the upcoming conclave, Simone has even researched all 133 cardinal-electors and hopes they choose a worthy successor to Pope Francis.
“What I humbly ask God to give us through the cardinal-electors is a Pope who is compassionate and has great religious zeal.”
Simone treasures the zucchetto and plans to preserve it in hopes that one day, when Pope Francis is declared a saint, it will become a firsthand relic of the 266th Pontiff.