By Robert Royal, The Catholic Thing - 10 years ago... Francis’s first words were, “Buona sera.” (Good evening")... Then, things took an ominous turn. Explaining – in Spanish now at the journalists’ gathering – that he knew that many in the crowd were not believers, he said he would not give his apostolic blessing outwardly, but would only say it silently. He inclined his head for a few moments then walked off the stage.