Pope Francis Up Close

The Pope’s visit to the United States was highly anticipated by Americans from all over the country.  The Pope traveled to South America from Rome, where he lives all year round, and then to the United States.  During his visit to the U.S., the Pope visited Washington D.C., New York City and Philadelphia. At every venue the Pope made an appearance, the streets were packed with people waiting for the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the religious icon.  Madison Dodger Online (MDO) had the chance to talk with Emilia McManus (EM), a 17-year old from Basking Ridge, who had the privilege of attending a mass with the Pope in New York City on September 25th at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. 

MDO: What was it like going into the city on the date of the Pope’s visit? Was the commute crazy?

EM: I took off from school because we kept hearing that there were going to be huge road closures based on the route the pope was planning to take. Once we arrived in the city, nearly every street near 5th Avenue was shut down and all the other side streets had huge 13 foot high fences and security screening centers set up in the middle of the road.

MDO: What were people’s’ reactions when the Pope first moved into the public’s view?

EM: I was inside Saint Patrick’s so I didn’t get to see all the people’s faces on the street when he drove by in the pope-mobile, but the inside of the church was mostly filled with priests and nuns.  So when he walked into the church, their faces lit up with happiness and excitement.  So many of them were crying and cheering and you could feel an aura of excitement. It was especially nice to see that so many religious men and women were there because they have given their life to their faith and the Pope is there spiritual leader.

MDO: How did it feel to be in the presence of the Pope?

EM: It is hard to explain what it was like to be in the presence of the Pope.  The entire night everyone was referring to him as ‘his eminence’ and ‘his holiness’.  I think knowing that I was several feet away from the leader of my faith and a man who inspires me everyday is incredible.  I think seeing the Pope in general would be cool but Pope Francis, in particular, is someone that I look up to and admire for all his work.  I know that this day was going to be one of the best in my life.

MDO: How did people react when they were blessed by the Pope?

EM: I didn’t really react to the blessing until I was on my way home because I was too consumed with what was happening in that moment.  But now that I can look back on the situation. I think that it was really something special.  As a practicing Catholic, it means more than anything to be blessed by the Pope.