Pope answers kids' tough questions in first book for children

By Philip Pullella
VATICAN CITY, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who has
penned weighty encyclicals and decrees, has taken a stab at the
simpler side of his job with a book for children to answer such
questions as "What did God do before the world was made?"
That question was put to him by 8-year-old Ryan K., from
Canada. Like the other questions in the book, it was written
above a simple drawing - in this case, Ryan's rough sketch of a
bearded God standing on a globe surrounded by gold stars.
The pope's answer, written in a few sentences on the
opposite page, was that God "created time" but that most of all
"he loved".
The book, called "Dear Pope Francis," was a brainchild of
Father Antonio Spadaro, a priest and editor of the Italian
Jesuit journal Civilta Cattolica who was the first person to
interview Francis after his election in 2013.
Spadaro brought the pope the 31 drawings and questions by
children from around the world and Francis dictated his
responses in simple language.
Natasha, 8, from Kenya, asks for an explanation of the Bible
story about how Jesus walked on water (Because God can do
anything).
Others wanted to know if dead relatives can watch over them
from heaven? (certainly); why does he wear that big hat?
(Because he's a bishop), and what miracle would he perform if he
had only one chance? (Cure sick children).
Basia, 8, from Poland asked what he wanted to be when he was
her age. Answer: He wanted to become a butcher.
Not all the questions were light, however.
Mohamed, 10, from Syria, asks if the world will ever be
beautiful again. The pope tells him his suffering will not last
forever.
Perhaps the most poignant question is from an 8-year-old
Australian boy named Luca. "Dear Pope Francis, My mum is in
Heaven. Will she grow angel wings?"
Francis answers that no, she won't grow wings but "she is
the mother you know but more beautiful than ever ... smiling and
full of love for you."