A student from the University of Notre Dame who participated in a spring break pilgrimage to Rome reflected on his emotions during the election of Pope Francis.
Carter Boyd, a freshman studying science and business at the University, was among the 12 men discerning their vocation who went on the pilgrimage to Italy sponsored by the U.S. Province Office of Vocations and University of Notre Dame Campus Ministry. He wrote a piece published in the March 26 ND Observer about his experience.
“Praying, hoping and standing in the rain Wednesday night, white smoke sparked a boisterous exuberant roar of more than 100,000 people, ending the wait and evoking the celebration in St. Peter’s Square,” Carter said of the evening Pope Francis was elected.
“The bells rang through the night, the crowds sang the Salve Regina, hugs were given amidst the sea of people, “VivailPapa” cheers resounded through the colonnade of the Square. Joy, bliss, cheer, jubilance, delight, elation, glee, wonder, awe and mystery. After the new pope’s name was announced, ‘Francesco, Francesco, Francesco!’ was all I could hear,” Carter recalled.
Read more of Carter’s reflection, as well as a news story about the trip at ndsmcobserver.com.
