“A Wonderful Gift”
WV Seminarians in Rome Meet Pope Leo XIVSeminarian Joe Derico, of St. Patrick’s Church, Weston, arrived in Rome on Thursday, August 21st and three days later he was greeting Pope Leo XIV before the pontiff led the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, August. 24th.
“Having arrived in Rome on a Thursday morning, I was quite surprised to find out that day at lunch that the seminary would have a private audience with the Holy Father that following Sunday, prior to the usual Angelus Address,” Derico said. “Getting to meet the Holy Father was such a joy, and an experience which will certainly be memorable. His Holiness spoke a few words to us each individually and then made a more general address after having greeted us all. It was a wonderful gift to have met the Holy Father so soon after I arrived in Rome, and his words to us were inspiring and indicative of a deep life of personal prayer and an ardent love for the Lord. Ad Multos Annos!”
With Derico was Seminarian Michael Tupta, of the Basilica of the Co-cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston. This is his second year of study at the Pontifical North American College (NAC). Last year after his arrival he had an audience with Pope Francis.
The private audience in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City with Pope Leo was with NAC’s new seminarians, second-year orientation team members, seminary faculty, and Msgr Thomas Powers (NAC rector), Tupta said.
“Pope Leo spoke to us all about perseverance in our vocation and throughout our future priesthood,” Tupta said.
When the Pope turned to depart the men sang “Ad Multos Annos” blessing (“to many years” a Latin celebratory song to many more years of life, health, and service)– which stopped him in his tracks. Pope Leo XIV turned back and listened until the end.
After the audience, Derico, Tupta, and the rest of the group joined pilgrims from all over the world in the square to pray the Angelus.
God, bless all of our seminarians and their families.
God, bless Pope Leo XIV.
God, bless the Church.
AMEN!Photos by Vatican Media
