Pope Benedict XVI

This Friday, April 17th, Pope Benedict will make his way to New York!

I cannot begin to describe the joy and excitement that is making my organs tickle. I was lucky enough to attend the first public audience in July 2005 from Pope Benedict XVI in Rome at Paul VI Hall and another a week later.

I was with a group of 40+ girls studying for a summer course on leadership in Rome, and we frequented those cobble stone streets enough to know when to get to St. Peter’s Square for the audience. After much time waiting for the ivory curtains to open at the back of the hall, trumpets blew and mouths opened widely cheering in over twenty languages.

Only at his second audience did I get to look into his holy eyes and touch his hand. One of the Pope’s security guards was reserving six seats right next to the isle he was going to process down, and would not let us near them. He kept repeating “Soni reservati!” and we kept smiling and pleading. Finally at 10:15 when the horns blew for the grand entrance, he motioned for us to move over! My friend from Louisiana was right at the isle; she turned around and said to me, “Hop on.” I piggy backed her until Papa Benedetto was walking right in front of us. So many emotions were shooting through me and I began to laugh and cry and scream all at the same time. His hand touched mine, and I cried.

His humility and gentle words filled me with peace. I am unsure if I will ever be able to experience something like that again. How lucky, for those of us who live close enough to New York, for us to be able to be in his Holy presence and receive a blessing.

Let’s pray for his safety and personal intentions!