Saint Ignatius students who opted to participate in the Ignatian Experience, a summer pilgrimage to France, Spain and Italy with students from other Jesuit high schools, perhaps received more than they ever expected from their trip.
On August 2, the group attended the Papal Audience and to their surprise got a close-up view of Pope Francis, who passed by mere feet in front of them. The Papal Audience included an appearance by another celebrity, Andrea Bocelli, the famed Italian tenor, who served as guest cantor.
The previous day, the group had the opportunity to meet the newly elected Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Rev. Arturo Sosa, S.J., following the Feast of St. Ignatius Mass at the Church of the Gesu.
Of course, the trip for the students included many other tours, visits to important sites in the life of Ignatius, tremendous food and opportunities for prayer and Eucharist.
With memories like these, the young men who attended this year's Ignatian Experience will certainly have stories to share upon their return to Cleveland. After all, how many times in your life do you get to say, "Today, I saw the Pope!"
