Seventy years ago, on September 21, 1953, the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who would later become Pope Francis, experienced a transformative moment in his life that led to his vocation as a priest. On this significant day, just shy of his 17th birthday, he went to confession before attending a party.

This event unfolded in Argentina, coinciding with the feast of the student in the country and the feast of St. Matthew in the Church—a public sinner chosen by Jesus to become an Apostle. Pope Francis recalled the moment in 2013, stating, "Before going to the party, I passed by the parish where I was going, found a priest, whom I did not know, and felt the need to go to confession. This was an experience of encounter for me: I found that someone was waiting for me."

After confessing, Pope Francis felt a profound change within himself, hearing a call to become a priest. He emphasized the importance of seeking God's forgiveness and the realization that God is waiting for us with open arms.

Pope Francis chose the motto "Miserando atque eligendo," meaning "by having mercy and by choosing," which he took from the writings of St. Bede the Venerable. This motto reflected his deep connection to the story of St. Matthew, emphasizing Jesus' merciful gaze and choice to call a tax collector.

Furthermore, Pope Francis often admired Caravaggio's painting depicting the vocation of St. Matthew in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome.

In a homily on September 21, 2017, Pope Francis discussed the power of Jesus' merciful gaze and the struggle between mercy and sin, highlighting the importance of recognizing one's own sins as a prerequisite for receiving God's mercy.

He also drew parallels between himself and St. Matthew, describing how he feels akin to the tax collector who initially clung to his money but ultimately responded to the Lord's call.

Seventy years ago, Pope Francis experienced a life-changing encounter with God's mercy on September 21, 1953, which led to his vocation as a priest. His motto, "Miserando atque eligendo," reflects this encounter, and he often related to the story of St. Matthew. Pope Francis continues to emphasize the transformative power of God's mercy in his teachings and actions.