Exceptional encounters with the Pope

Enthusiasm all around
My first encounter with the Holy Father occurred during a visit to the U.S. shortly after he became Pope. When my husband and I heard that he was to say mass on The Mall in Washington D.C., we hopped a plane from Florida to be present. It seemed as if the Holy Spirit had pulled us to him. We were "close" to the altar-only a half a block away. Yet, such was his spirit and magnetism that he projected to each of us the joy and enthusiasm one should have with the gift of life. Through him, in a special way, I felt a powerful yet tender feeling of love that Christ has for each of us. There was much excitement in the crowd as if we all sensed that this was the beginning of a new and energetic time for the church. He was a Pope, who in a dramatic way had already suffered much in personal loss of family, the horrors of wars, and had demonstrated courage against a repressive political system. This Pope, John Paul II, seemed to be one of us who personally understood the worst of life, yet reminded us and demonstrated through his vigorous example that we were all here to create the best of life through Christ's message of justice and love.

Twenty years later, I saw him again, during one of the Wednesday audiences at the Vatican along with 6,000 other eager and excited pilgrims. At this time, he was limited to the stage by his infirmities. What was most remarkable was the love and enthusiasm each group gave to the pope as they were introduced. A band played, a choir sang, and many shouted out messages or chants as their turn came. My group from Nashville proudly unfurled a banner from the new high school named in his honor. The message of spreading of Christ's word and love, had penetrated the faithful. This time they were giving it back to the Pope in abundance. He responded with such delight and laughter, cherishing this time with the people.
--Diana Bangert, Nashville, Tenn.

Privileged in the Philippines
I felt privileged to see the Pope when he first visited my old country, the Philippines back in 1981.  Being an ROTC cadet in the catholic university I was attending in the central part of the country, I was among those assigned together with the local law enforcers to control the crowd.  When we got the word that his caravan was about to pass our area, we were ordered to take off the top of our green fatigue uniforms by the First Lady of the land.  We were told that the government did not want the Holy Father to have an impression that the country is militarized — which in fact it was, at the time.  Then he finally passed.  He was smiling and waving and seemed to enjoy every minute of his visit amidst the tropical heat of the sun.  He looked tanned yet youthful.
—Evans R. Centina, Los Angeles, Calif.

Unforgettable experience
My wife and I had the opportunity to meet Pope John Paul II and receive a blessing from the Pope on our honeymoon in December, 2001. It was an experience that we will always cherish and never forget for the remainder of our lives.
—Steve Gonzalez, Glen Cove, N.Y.

Worth the trip
I saw the Pope in San Antonio, Texas back in the 80's I believe in the newly designed Pope-mobile.  It was the most amazing and spiritual experience of my Catholic faith.  My mom and sister and I drove eight hours to see him as it was that important to us and the closest he had ever been to our neck of the woods!
—Ann, Edmond, Okla.

Personal look
I was fortunate to see the Pope in Rome in 1987.  I was in St. Peter's and he was going to be hearing confessions for the bishops.  It was an unexpected and pleasant surprise to me.  I was on Holy Saturday.  I will never forget that day as long as I live.  I felt as if he was looking right at me.
—Donna Mangone, South Weymouth, Mass.

Pilgrimage
For most of my life the Pope has been the Spiritual leader for the faith I grew up with.  I remember when he left the Vatican and came to the United States for the first time.  The Pope was in Iowa City about three hours from Omaha, where I lived at the time.  I don't remember how many from my class made the pilgrimage to see him and celebrate Mass with him. The Pontiff was so young, and seemed unstoppable.  To see him now it is hard to believe that he is the same person. I know I will miss him.
—Ann, Denver, Colo.

Priceless moment
While in Rome in October 2000, we had the opportunity to be in the audience on a Wednesday morning. My father and I were standing on chairs to see the Pope. As the Pope was arriving in his Pope mobile my father got tears in his eyes and stated, "I never thought I would ever have the chance to see the Holy Father. "That moment was priceless and will forever be in my heart. My 74-year-old father was so moved. It was especially fitting since my father passed away nearly two years later.
—Betty Stiffler, Wickliffe, Ohio

A close encounter
I saw him three times. Two in Buenos Aires and the third one in the Vatican but the most striking encounter was the first one, in Buenos Aires in the late seventies or early eighties. We were standing outside the Vatican Embassy and John Paul II had already come out to greet the people, so everyone was gone and we were not more than 20 people still shouting for him to come out again and he did and he took his time to make eye contact with each one of us. It was a really moving situation for everyone there because it was like a private meeting. I will never forget that. Hope he will enter next life in total peace.
—Alejandra Camara, Buenos Aires, Argentina

MORE FROM CITIZEN JOURNALIST

Citizen Journalist Section Front

CJ Experience: Returning home to Arabi CJ: Giving Thanks CJ: Far from normal in Wilma's aftermath Frontline families' experiences CJ: A tribute to our troops CJ: Rebuilding homes and lives after hurricanes Citizen Journalist Section Front   Add Citizen Journalist headlines to your news reader: