Youth from diocese attend Pope Francis’ funeral

Teenagers from throughout the Diocese of Tucson returned home late Monday night following their pilgrimage to Rome. The group of 45 students and 20 adult chaperones had traveled to the Eternal City for the Jubilee of Hope. The weeklong pilgrimage was due to end with the pilgrims witnessing the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. The canonization was declared postponed when Pope Francis died, as only a pope can canonize a saint. 

The group learned of the pope’s passing minutes after landing in Rome. Father Manu Franco, a Carmelite, and the Director of Youth Ministry for the diocese, said group prayed for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul while at baggage claim. Though the trip changed course, it was, nonetheless, memorable, “These students are going to be testaments of hope. They were not expecting to be there for a funeral. Being there this week they had this realization that the Church is big, it’s real, and it has a long history.” The group was able to attend Pope Francis’ viewing and his funeral, “We saw his body. We were yards away. I was able to pray before being told to move,” he said.

Father Manu and Reverend Luis Pablo Ochoa-Escárrega, the Associate Director of Vocations at Immaculate Conception Church in Yuma, sat with concelebrants in Vatican Plaza in front of the altar, while the others were outside a Carmelite church, “It was impressive and very well organized. There were large screens and drones flying above us. One minute you saw the drone flying above you and then the image was on the screen.”

It’s estimated more than 250,000 people attended the funeral, “One of the things I realized is that it's one thing to watch on TV but when you are there you are not listening to anyone. No one is telling you this is what is happening,” he said. For Father Manu, attending the pope’s funeral was bittersweet, “It was impressive. It’s a mix of sadness but great pride that this wonderful man completed his mission. We were part of something that was historic.”

While on the pilgrimage the group visited Assisi, the Roman Colosseum, and many other sacred places. Once the students are home and rested, Father Manu hopes they’ll take time to share their experience with their Catholic communities, “It was a great experience for them. They prayed together. There were definitely obstacles on the trip but they bonded and became friends. We even met other teens from Ireland. It was an experience of a lifetime.”