This is an opinion cartoon.

Pope Francis practiced what he preached and lived a life of humble service to the Lord. He reminds me of my dad.

I’m not Catholic. I have no papal dog in the fight for whoever might be next in line to replace Pope Francis. I love the drama of the mysterious black smoke, white smoke election process. But I doubt this pope can ever really be replaced.

Pope Francis was a breath of fresh air.

I’m just a back-pew riding son of a Primitive Baptist preacher, a man who was the best guy and most humble servant of the Lord I’ve ever known. There was a place in my dad’s heart and prayers for all. Especially the poor, elderly and sick.

My dad was a no-script, no-notes, in-the-moment storytellin’ spirit preacher. He didn’t always know where he was going but the Lord always got him there. He didn’t wear fancy robes. Or pointy hats. He was real good at preaching. But he woud have been terrible at poping.

But I gotta say, Pope Francis is the closest true humble servant-of-the-Lord and people type feller I’ve never known besides my dad.

Rest in peace, Pope Francis. You too, Pop. I think you guys will get along just fine.

Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe

JD Crowe is the cartoonist for AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler at [email protected].

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