VATICAN CITY — As Catholics around the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis, some parishioners from the Diocese of Charlotte got to experience the majesty and magnitude of being in Rome at this historic moment. Here are a few of their reflections and experiences:
Seminarian John Harrison met with Pope Francis while studying in Rome.John Harrison is one of the three Diocese of Charlotte seminarians studying in Rome. He told the Catholic News Herald they have been very busy since Pope Francis’ death. Harrison shared this memory of the week when the Holy Father died.
“I was praying inside a local church, Chiesa Nuova, when the celebrant came into the sanctuary to tell everyone that mass would be delayed because news was coming out about something happening to the pope. We checked the news and saw that 10 minutes prior, news had just come out that Pope Francis had passed away that morning. I told the other seminarians I was with that I was heading over to St. Peter’s to pray, and so I quickly made it there and prayed in the adoration chapel for his soul. It was very powerful to see flocks of people come into the chapel with the same idea…We were able to pray at St. Peter’s together and attend his funeral, which was very solemn and prayerful. I plan to go pray at his tomb in St. Mary Major. As I pray for the soul of Pope Francis and for the next Pope, I am so grateful to be at the heart of the Church during such times as these.”
Charlotte pilgrims reflect
Twenty-two people from Our Lady of Assumption Church in Charlotte were in Rome for the Holy Father’s funeral.
They had traveled to Italy the previous Monday for a pilgrimage to visit holy sites and then see the planned canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, which was to have taken place on April 27 but was postponed because of the pope’s death.
“We received the sad news Pope Francis had died on the same day we were going to Italy, but still made the trip because we were committed to it,” said Deacon David Reiser.
In the week leading up to the funeral, the pilgrims visited Assisi, Loreto and San Giovanni Rotondo, the hometown of St. Pio of Pieltrelcina, also known as Padre Pio. The group decided to travel to Rome on Saturday, April 27, for the papal funeral, Deacon Reiser said. They arrived in Rome in time to secure a spot where they could see the ceremony on one of many video monitors.
“Obviously the streets were jam-packed with people everywhere, but our guide was from Rome and knew the way around and got us through,” Deacon Reiser said.
The area was crowded but people were respectful and quiet during the Mass, he said.
“It was just a beautiful ceremony, a very moving and holy experience and special just to be present there,” Deacon Reiser said. He said the most emotional moments were the final prayers and the moment when the pallbearers picked up Pope Francis’s casket.
Deacon Reiser and Deacon Kevin Williams had applied for tickets to be near the altar at Acutis’ canonization and learned they were still valid for a Mass that was being said day. After the homily, an usher led then and other deacons into St. Peter’s, where they were given bowls of hosts and positioned up front while the hosts were consecrated.
The two then joined others to distribute the Eucharist to the crowd gathered for the Mass.
“I never thought I would get to do something like that – it was another once in a lifetime experience,” Deacon Reiser said. “I was blessed.”
Christ the King students reflect
Christ the King students were in Rome and had the opportunity to walk past the Holy Father’s open coffin and also had the chance to walk through the Holy Doors for the Jubilee Year. Here are their reflections:
Mrs. Cher Ferrouillet, Spanish Instructor / Multicultural Club Advisor / Service Committee Advisor
“When I was alerted of his passing, we were sitting outside the St. Francis Basilica in Assisi, Italy. It seemed so fitting to be there when we found out. Hearing the church bells ring in honor of him was a surreal moment. The birds were flying around overhead as if they knew what happened.
While passing through the Jubilee doors was a wonderful experience, my mind was on Pope Francis and his legacy. He reminded us all of the importance of love. He lived out the example that love is patient, kind, and selfless. His legacy of love and embracing all of God’s children will not be forgotten.”
Luke Travers, senior
“Seeing so many people lined up to see the Pope’s body was a testament to his popularity among Catholics and ordinary people, and it reminds me of his selflessness. Pope Francis’ legacy inspires me to serve others like he did and to always live with humility.”
Camille Lemke, sophomore
“Being able to walk through the Jubilee doors, being present for the death of Pope Francis, and being present for Easter made it truly an incredible moment of my life. When walking through the Jubilee doors, I felt a sense of peace and renewal flow through me. I felt like I was ready for a fresh start.”
Chloe Mullen, freshman
“Pope Francis was the pope of my youth. He impacted many with his leadership in the faith…I had hoped to see the pope on our trip, not in this way, but it was still incredible.”
Maya Villalobos, freshman
“This trip allowed me to see the importance of the pope from a more meaningful perspective. It was surreal, and a very emotional experience for me, as there were many people from many different places around the world, coming to honor our Holy Father. Getting the opportunity to be in Rome during the Jubilee and during the pope’s passing will be something that I will never forget.”
Isabel Paxton, junior
“For me, Pope Francis was a symbol of my faith, and he also represented hope. He was a guiding father and a good soul, showing a good example that everyone should follow.”
Jackson Coleman, senior
“Being in Rome while the pope died gave me an odd sense of connection with him and my faith. I felt as though I had grown closer to him and, consequently, with my faith.”
Zoe Ferrouillet, senior
“Although it was a sad time, you could feel the love from Pope Francis. Even though he was not presently there, his teachings of love radiated in the city.”
Jacob Dziadziola, senior
“It was heartbreaking to see him in the casket, but truly a blessing to witness this event. I was in awe of the basilica and experiencing the Jubilee doors. I am so grateful to be one of very few in the world to go through those doors and see Pope Francis and pray for him in person.”
