The Archdiocese of Liverpool Curia arranged for some staff to take a pilgrimage to Rome. On the way to Rome, the pilgrims received the news that the Holy Father Pope Francis had passed away. Some of the pilgrims wrote about their extraordinary pilgrimage. Sarah, a new Catholic recently baptised, shares her experience:
At the Easter Vigil of Saturday 19th April 2025, I was baptized as a Catholic by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The following Monday, I had been invited to join members of the Liverpool Archdiocesan chancery, along with my colleagues, on a religious pilgrimage to Rome. As we were boarding our outbound flight, we received word that Pope Francis had passed away. We arrived into a somewhat state of aberration; the press weaving their way between Vatican officials, members and future members of the clergy, ordinary folk - desperate to encapsulate the essence of Rome in a Pope-less state. The beautiful thing for me is that despite several members of our group having been recruited for press coverage, or having a great level of responsibility to uphold following this event, our trip did not become tainted whatsoever.
I am ever-thankful to Father Aidan Prescott and to Father Sean Riley who organised such a heartfelt experience for us all. As someone who did not grow up Catholic, and is entirely new to the faith, it was extraordinary to be able to stay within the Beda College, with its vibrant gardens, tranquil chapel area, and warm, hospitable hosts; to celebrate Mass inside a small, private church within the Vatican by Archbishop Paul Gallagher; to be welcomed into the home of Bishop Gregory of Ukraine, with a banquet of food and wine, and a tour of the museum of his holy artefacts.
To reiterate, I had grown up with little to no involvement with catholicism, myself even a year prior to this would be in disbelief at the idea of spending one Wednesday afternoon accompanying the Chancellor as he shops for garments on behalf of the newly appointed Archbishop of Liverpool, where we simply happened to bump into the man who makes the vestments to be worn by the Pope - a man our Chancellor was well acquainted with.
For me, the highlight of the trip was celebrating Mass in the catacombs. The quiet journey through the underground tombs was incredibly moving. Once we had been guided into a small segment with nothing but an altar for consecration, my mind became clear of noise and severely present. I do not think I will ever be able to truly do justice to the emotions I felt during this moment - I can only compress this spiritual experience to be one of high meditation and gratitude. I watched the expressions of Canon Aidan Prescott, Canon Sean Riley, and Deacon Paul Mannings as they said Mass. Serious as they remained, they glowed with elation. Watching some of the most deserving people I know do something they have always wanted to do filled my heart with tremendous warmth. At the end of Mass, it was suggested that we all take a moment of silence to think about those closest to our hearts. There was something so intimate about a group of people in one quiet and secluded space all taking the time to so comfortably stand together in nothing but thought. As I scanned the room, I looked upon those who have influenced my own journey into being one of the most unique and special experiences of my life. There will always be a special place in my heart for these people and for this faith - a place of nurture, a place of community, and most considerably, a place of love.
