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Four students from a Los Angeles area Catholic high school will be attending Pope Francis’ service while they hope to visit the Vatican and meet the new head of the Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles confirmed Friday.
Students are part of “Shouls,” a programme that began when Pope Francis was a bishop to connect youth from diverse backgrounds.
Los Angeles teens join in with other students from New York and around the world, attend Pope Francis’ tomb and gather at Synod Hall, where the Catholic Cards were convened before entering the Conclave during a week’s trip.
The group also requested to meet Pope Leo, the new leader of the Catholic Church, during the week’s visit. The Vatican had not yet confirmed the in-person meeting, officials said.
Sofia Reyes, a junior at Loret High School Bishop Conati, will be her first visit to Rome after working for two years in the Shoalus program. The 17-year-old said that when Pope Francis died, she and her friends were devastated, but she wants to respect his legacy through community advocacy.
“(Pope Francis) really spoke for us all,” Reyes explained. “As a young man, I really admired H8IM and how he was so close to the community.”
Reyes looks forward to visiting his grave to “give honor and respect” because lessons from Pope Francis were a guide for her at a time of uncertainty.
“Our Father’s prayers really make me think about how everything in the world is now,” recalls the teenager. “It’s a good prayer that reminds me of him, as I know (Pope Francis) is always there for us.”
The high school junior said she and her friends were eager to know if Pope Leo, the first American pope, has time for them while he was in Rome.
“No one knows how to respond, but I’m sure I’ll be overjoyed to meet the new Pope,” Reyes said. “We hope we can chat with him and see what he has to say. It’s great to spend some time with him.”
When he meets Pope Leo, Reyes said he will invite him to visit Los Angeles, asking young people to pray for them to navigate their hardships and challenges.
“I would like to tell H8IM to pray, especially now, for the school and for all children in the world,” the student said.
The international trip, organized through Scholas, has also been supported by Los Angeles leaders, including director Lindsey Horvas and councillor Monica Rodiriguez.
“In these challenging times, I am proud to raise young people who lead with heart, integrity and purpose,” Horvath said in a statement. “The experience of Cholas Rome reflects Pope Francis’s appeal for a culture of encounters. Students will become engaged in meaningful dialogue, building global solidarity and growing as a change maker rooted in service.”
Participating teens will renew their commitment to carrying Pope Francis’ inclusion and empowerment legacy, the Archdiocese said.
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