Father Luis Dri, a 96-year-old Capuchin friar, has been hearing confessions at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Buenos Aires for many years.

In the evenings, he would approach the Tabernacle and seek forgiveness for the numerous absolutions he granted, humbly acknowledging that he, himself, set a poor example.

Although he may have been the last name on the list, he held a special place in Pope Francis' heart. The Pope announced a new group of cardinals who would be elevated in a Consistory on September 30, and he concluded the list with the name of an elderly Franciscan friar.

This friar, who has been residing in the soundproof confessional of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Pompei in Buenos Aires since his retirement in 2007, holds a significant place of honor in the Pope's eyes.

Father Luis Pascual Dri, a Capuchin friar born in Argentina on April 17, 1927, hails from a family where all but one of the children dedicated themselves to religious life.

Pope Francis has mentioned Father Luis on multiple occasions. The first mention was during a meeting with parish priests in Rome on March 6, 2014.

The Pope referred to him again during a homily for priestly ordinations on May 11, 2014. Father Luis was also mentioned in the book-interview "The Name of God is Mercy" and during a homily in St. Peter's with the Capuchin friars in February 2016.

More recently, Pope Francis mentioned Father Luis during a meeting with Rome's priests at St. John Lateran and in a gathering with Jubilee confessors.

Whenever Pope Francis discusses the topic of confession and the role of confessors, he often recalls a remarkable Capuchin father from Buenos Aires.

This particular confessor approached the Pope seeking guidance, expressing his concerns about the multitude of individuals who would come to him in the confessional, including people from various backgrounds, priests, and individuals with different levels of humility.

The confessor admitted that at times, he would forgive generously, but would occasionally experience doubts and scruples about whether he had forgiven too much. Pope Francis holds this confessor in high regard and frequently references him as an example of a dedicated and compassionate confessor.

During a conversation about mercy, Pope Francis asked the Capuchin confessor how he dealt with his scruples of forgiving too much. The confessor shared a touching response, explaining that he would go to the chapel, stand before the tabernacle, and say to Jesus, "Lord, forgive me because I have forgiven too much.

But it was you who gave me the bad example!" This profound statement deeply impacted Pope Francis, who believes that when a priest embraces mercy for themselves in such a way, they are then able to extend it to others.

Years ago, the Pope personally sought out this Capuchin monk at the shrine of Our Lady of Pompei in Buenos Aires. On that particular day, there were only a few visitors, and the atmosphere was warm and humid.

Inside the shrine, a solitary confessional was open, and the monk, dressed in a Capuchin habit, awaited penitents amidst the white soundproofing panels reminiscent of an old radio studio. It was the same confessor who had made a lasting impression on Pope Francis.

In the past, the Pope and others went to the shrine devoted to the Virgin of Pompei in Buenos Aires to find the Capuchin monk. The atmosphere was quiet, and there were only a few individuals present on a hot and humid afternoon. Among the soundproofing panels, reminiscent of an old radio studio, only one confessional was open. Inside, they found a monk dressed in a Capuchin habit. It was the same confessor they were seeking.

The reason why the Pope quotes the Capuchin monk is because they had personal conversations in the past. The Pope shared that he sometimes feels concerned or uneasy during confessions, and he confided in the monk about this. The monk advised him to forgive and emphasized the importance of forgiveness.

However, the Pope would still experience a certain restlessness after forgiving others, so he would go to Jesus and express that it was Jesus who set the example of forgiving everything and never rejecting anyone. These words deeply impacted the Pope, and he recognizes that the monk, who spends many hours in confession, has valuable insights. The Pope has even recommended some priests to seek advice from the monk, and they have developed a strong spiritual and pastoral friendship.

"I am deeply grateful to the Pope for the trust he has shown me, even though I feel unworthy of it. I do not possess the credentials of a learned scholar or an accomplished priest or friar.

However, my life experiences, particularly growing up in poverty, have taught me valuable lessons. I believe it is my duty to always offer words of mercy, assistance, and compassion to anyone who seeks them here. No one should ever leave feeling misunderstood, despised, or rejected."

The friar, who dedicates his mornings and afternoons to the confessional, until the candles are burnt out, doesn't have any specific advice for his fellow confessors. He simply echoes the teachings of the Pope. He believes in embodying mercy, understanding, and wholehearted listening. He emphasizes the importance of empathizing with others and trying to understand their experiences.

Rather than being distant or perfunctory, he advocates for a close and friendly approach in confession. He reassures those who may be hesitant or unsure, encouraging them not to be afraid or worried. Confession, he says, is simply about the desire to become a better person, and the focus should be on drawing closer to God and Jesus, rather than dwelling on technical details or numbers of sins.

The friar who will now become a cardinal always offers the advice of not being afraid to the penitents who seek his guidance. He often shares an image depicting the embrace of the Prodigal Son by the Father to convey the message that God's love and forgiveness are always available. He assures them that God is not there to punish but to be with them, to walk alongside them, and to extend His forgiveness. He finds it perplexing and misguided to fear God's love and forgiveness, emphasizing that it is a misunderstanding and an incorrect perception of our loving Father.

The confessor, who will now be elevated to the rank of cardinal, shares similarities with Father Leopoldo Mandic, another priest known for his compassionate approach in the confessional. The cardinal-elect acknowledges his admiration for Father Mandic's life and teachings, from which he has learned valuable lessons.

Father Dri also draws inspiration from his experiences with Father Pio and Father Leopoldo Mandic. In 1960, he had the opportunity to be in the presence of Father Pio, going to confession with him and residing in the same convent. Through these encounters, he learned valuable lessons about mercy, love, peace, tranquility, and closeness.

Despite Father Pio's strong and energetic nature, he embodied the compassionate and forgiving spirit of Jesus when he listened and offered forgiveness to others. The teachings and examples of both Father Pio and Father Leopoldo Mandic have profoundly influenced Father Dri's understanding of mercy and have shaped his approach to his own ministry in the confessional.