In the latest instance of reaching out to everyday people during his papacy, Pope Francis personally responded to a letter he received from a grieving man (whose brother had been gunned down and killed) by picking up the phone and calling him. The Telegraph has the story:

Michele Ferri wrote a letter to the Pope telling him of his inability to forgive the killers and was shocked when he picked up the telephone on Wednesday evening to hear: “Ciao Michele, it’s Pope Francis.”

Pope Francis then went on to ask about the man’s family:

The Pope also asked to speak to Mr Ferri’s mother to express his personal sympathy.

The telephone call is the latest in a series of spontaneous personal gestures by Pope Francis that have surprised Catholics around the world since he was elected Pope in March.

Gestures like this are becoming less surprising and more of the standard that this dedicated, merciful Pope has set for himself as the leader of the Church.  As the local town priest who conducted the funeral put it,

It’s a very beautiful gesture that indicates the kindness and greatness of this Pope.

I’m sure it won’t be the last, and the Pope will no doubt continue to inspire the rest of us to reach out more in our own lives to those around us who may be in need of gestures of love and care.