'A Lovely Gentleman': LI Religion Professor Shares Memories Of Pope

HEMPSTEAD, NY — As Catholics from Valley Stream to the Vatican mourn Pope Francis, one Long Island professor has a personal connection to the Holy Father.

Dr. Phyllis Zagano is a senior Research associate-in-residence and adjunct professor of religion at Hofstra University. But it's when she was appointed to the Pontifical Commission for the Study of the Diaconate of Women where she came face-to-face with Pope Francis.

"I went to Rome and actually had Thanksgiving dinner in the pope's house," Zagano told Patch. "Four times I was a member of a two-day meeting of the commission."

While she wasn't permitted to speak directly to the pope, Zagano did share some face time with him.

"He called me over to the elevator and held the door," she said. "One time I got in the elevator and he said 'what floor?'''

Even from those short moments together, Zagano quickly understood about this pope's personality.

"To meet him is to know him," she said. "He was a lovely gentleman and he was funny."

Francis held the papacy for 12 years. He was first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas.

"His legacy is, I think, that he's beginning to teach the bureaucracy of the church, the hierarchy, that's it OK to work with women," Zagano said. "Secondly, I think he's teaching the world that we need to recognize the dignity of all persons: immigrants, the poor, men, women [and] people who look differently from the way we do."

Cardinals will soon gather from around the world for the conclave to determine the next pope. The majority of the 135 electors were appointed by Pope Francis.

"That doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will be as progressive as the pope," Zagano said.

Watch the full Patch Weekly Spotlight interview with Dr. Zagano below.