by Anna Chiappetta
This past semester, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Rome with several other students from Catholic University. For four months, we lived, attended classes, and ate meals together in one building located in Trastevere, a 30-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica. Some professors from Catholic University also came to Rome with us, so I was able to take two psychology courses that counted toward my major. And what a blessing it was to be there during this time of transition in the Church!
By the time Easter came, we knew Pope Francis’ health was declining, but we were more focused on his illness and possible death back when he entered Gemelli Hospital in February. I was reminded again of his weakness when I heard his strained voice in St. Peter’s Square after Easter Mass: “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter!” Then he surprised everyone by riding in the back of the PopeMobile around St. Peter’s Square.
We could see how sick he looked, unable to turn his head much or smile. Some of us said we felt badly for him and wished he would be resting. But one of my friends said to us: “This is what he’s supposed to be doing, he’s fulfilling his mission.”
I thought of these moments when I woke up the next morning and saw that he had died a few hours earlier. He really should have been resting. He really was close to death and he probably knew it, but he did what his vocation as pope called him to do. I thought of how intense it must feel to know you are about to leave this world and see Christ and to use your last days doing the will of God. It was a moving realization for me and my friends, like Pope Francis had shown us a part of Christ’s sacrificial life on Easter.
That following week, we went to the viewing of his body in St. Peter’s. The line was long, and while it only took us an hour to get in, other Catholic University students spent three or more hours waiting. I was surprised to see how many people were coming to mourn the Pope.
The following Saturday, we woke up early to go to the funeral and made our way through crowded streets to get into the Square. Around us were families and groups of teenagers who had come as pilgrims for the Jubilee of Young People, a special weekend during the jubilee year for teens. The Mass was beautiful, with lots of singing and prayers for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul.
At the end, a group of men lifted the casket in front of the altar for the people to say a final farewell to the Pope. You could really sense the unity of the Church — united in our faith in Christ and united in our prayers together for him. I also sensed that the Holy Spirit was guiding the Church through time, that God was working through these different events and people to bring us closer to Him.
We wish we could have been there in St. Peter’s Square to see the new pope, but I was so happy to celebrate with friends back on campus in Murphy’s Lounge. It was so exciting to watch Pope Leo XIV appear on the balcony and be united in hope for this new chapter!
— Anna Chiappetta is a psychology major who plans to graduate in 2026. Catholic University’s Rome Center (Via Garibaldi) is a popular study abroad option — help us secure funding to acquire this property and keep the tradition alive! Email Alessia Noro ([email protected]) for details.
