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Catherine wrote many letters to the Pope, pleading the case of
Florence. It was always as if she were writing to an old friend, very personally, very lovingly, or as to a father, calling him "Babbo Mio," (my daddy), never intimidated yet respectful of his position. And he, on his part, answered in kind, to a daughter. He liked Catherine.
Catherine wrote, as someone sent by the Lord, with authority, fully confident she was to bring His Will to His Vicar on earth. Does this sound a bit lofty on her part? Well, she was not the first woman to be a Prophet to the Pope.
St. Bridget of Sweden, also a Mystic, had the courage of her convictions to speak out strongly on the need for reform, attacking boldly the corruption and politics in the
Church. Whereas
Pope Gregory XI called her a Prophet, he did not have the warm affection for her, that he had for Catherine with her gentleness. Whereas St. Bridget spoke of doom, Catherine called the Church a garden with beautiful flowers having been allowed to grow wild, with weeds in its midst choking it. She saw the Church, at large, as foolish, stubborn children in need of Daddy, Babbo, but too strong-willed and prideful to come home and say they were sorry.
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