Pope Francis, who became the first South American and Jesuit to hold the most powerful position in the Catholic Church, made a historical visit to the United States in September 2015. Trip to New York CityPhiladelphia and Washington, DC.
It reminds me of the heartfelt moments when four New Yorkers met the pope of this city after the death of the 88-year-old Pope on Monday, April 21st.
Julia Brutzese, Bath Beach, Brooklyn
“I was 12 when I met Pope Francis. It was a very dark time for me and my family. I was a very healthy, active young girl who was sports and dancing. But when I was nine, I had a mite bite. Two years later, I began to feel numb in my legs. Then I couldn’t walk.
There was a moment when I was asking God, “Why?” it tested my faith.
We didn’t get much medical assistance and I couldn’t go back to school. [at St. Bernadette Catholic Academy in Dyker Heights]. But my principal said that the Holy Father would come to town and try and get me a ticket to meet him. It was extremely difficult to get tickets. When we did, I knew it was God showing me a sign.
We were at JFK’s tarmac. It was so hot that day that we waited for two hours. They told us that the Pope had no intention of coming to anyone because he was running late.
But he went straight to my family and me. I was shocked. I was crying hysterically. He gave me a blessing – he placed his hands on my head and he said no words. I was shocked. It was a magical moment. A once in a lifetime moment. And it happened at once in my life that I really needed.
Those little moments changed the course of my life. People saw me on the news, and many people reached out to me. People in my community started raising funds and I was able to get treatment. Meeting the Pope helped me lead me to a doctor.
I’m still using a wheelchair, but there have been a lot of advances over the years. I’m doing much better today than when I met the Pope. ”
Monica Iken Murphy, Upper East Side
“Faith supports you. I committed suicide after losing my husband, Michael Eiken in an attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. I was drinking and driving. I couldn’t eat.
A few years later, I became a board member of the National 9/11 Memorial Museum and decided to invite the Pope during my 2015 visit.
When I saw Pope Francis, I was in awe. I brought my girl from my second marriage – Megan, 8, and Madison, 10. He kissed Megan on the head. He congratulated my wedding ring from Michael. It’s the closest thing to me to God. I could not be more blessed in my life.
He congratulated the blue wall of the monument. There are still 8,000 left there. God is the reason I was here and I survived the nightmare. How blessed were we to have Pope Francis? He told me why I was placed here. ”
Stephanie Gabo, White Plains
“I was experiencing a very difficult time in my life when I was 16. I was born with Spina Bifida. [a birth defect that causes paralysis]. I have had so many dangerous back surgeries and my surgeon actually cleaned me, so I was able to go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to get a blessing from Pope Francis.
When I arrived at the church he wanted it to be me and him in the moment.
I told him I was going to talk to him in Spanish and pray for him. Pope Francis then gave me an apostolic blessing. I literally went into the trance.
Previously, my life was very touching. Since the blessing, all of my surgeries have been successful, and I have been able to travel internationally to go to musicals and theater. My quality of life has improved.
Today, I don’t need to be transferred to a nursing home when I turn 21 to work with the Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center to build the first White Plains center for young adults with medical complexity. I’ll keep doing him [Pope Francis’] Work and God’s work. ”
Victor Franco, Long Island, Hicksville
“Pope Francis came to my school when I was 13 years old, the Queen of the Angels of East Harlem, Queen of Our Lady.
What stood out to me most was to pray for him for my parents, my family, my grandma.
He looked straight at me and said, “If you promise to pray for me, I will give you that promise.” I was speechless. I was a kid at the time. He was very humble. He has so much in the church, and does he ask others to pray for him?
I always remember that moment. He was just a normal person who was considerate about my family. ”
