Charlotte Barrett, a newly qualified teacher at Great Crosby Catholic Primary School, was honoured to be part of a remarkable Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome, culminating in a private audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican on Saturday, 5 July

Charlotte joined a delegation of early career teachers (ECTs) from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland for this special pilgrimage, organised as part of the Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations – a year especially focused on the theological virtue of hope.

Pope Leo welcomed the group warmly and spoke of the importance of pilgrimage, faith, and the vital role of Catholic educators.

In his address, Pope Leo reminded the group of the spiritual importance of stepping away from daily life to encounter God more deeply. He urged all present—especially the young teachers—to listen prayerfully to the voice of God speaking within their hearts.

“Use this opportunity for listening, for prayer,” the Pope said, “so that you may hear more clearly God’s voice calling you deep within your hearts.”

Speaking directly to the teachers, the Holy Father emphasised the responsibility they carry in the formation of future generations:

“They will look up to you as models: models in life, models of faith. They’ll look to you particularly as to how you teach and how you live. I hope that each day, you will nurture your relationship with Christ, who gives us the pattern of all authentic teaching.”

Charlotte described the experience as “surreal, almost ethereal.”

“Before the pilgrimage, I asked my Year 5 class what they’d like me to ask Pope Leo. I managed to ask him, ‘When are you scheduled to come to England?’ Smiling, he remained diplomatic and said, ‘No date as of yet, but I will be.’”

She added “At Great Crosby, our mission statement is ‘that they may have life and have it to the full.’ The encounter was fulfilling, and we left with renewed hope and enthusiasm to nurture faith in our pupils.”

As Pope Leo concluded in his blessing: “We are all pilgrims, and we are always pilgrims… with the help of the Lord, the intercession of the saints, and by encouraging one another, you can be certain that… the experience of this pilgrimage will continue to bear fruit throughout your lives.”