THE LITTLE SHEPHERD WHO BECAME POPE

One day, around the year 1530, a friar from Ascoli, in the March of Ancona (Italy), lost his way. By chance he met a little shepherd, approached him, and asked:

— Which way leads to Ascoli?

— Ascoli? Yes, sir, I know. Let us walk slowly, at the pace of my little lambs, and I will lead you there — said the boy.

As they walked, they conversed. The friar noticed that the child was lively, kind, and pleasant in conversation. By questioning him, he learned that the boy was the son of a very poor laborer who lived in a small hut nearby and scarcely earned enough to eat. Because of this, the father had set him to tend the sheep and pigs of a wealthier neighbor.

The boy could not read. He amused himself by singing a few religious songs that his good mother had taught him. That was all.

The friar was delighted with the boy and, after he had shown him the way and the town was not far off, invited him to visit him at his convent in Ascoli.

The little shepherd did not hesitate. He went to see his friend and, from then on, his favorite pastime, whenever he had time, was to go and talk with the friar.

One day, after presenting the boy to the superior of the convent, the friar asked whether it was not a pity to leave such a bright and capable child without education.

The superior agreed. The little shepherd had to be educated. They went to his parents, promising to take charge of the boy’s education. The proposal was gladly accepted.

The little shepherd went to live in the convent; soon after, he was admitted into the community, studied, was ordained a priest, and became a professor of theology. Important responsibilities were entrusted to him, which he fulfilled so well that the Pope appointed him a Cardinal.

In 1585, after the death of Gregory XIII, the former little shepherd was elected Pope under the name Sixtus V and became one of the greatest Pontiffs.