Christian Brothers Delegation Among Many Flying To Philly To Welcome Pope
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A number of groups from Sacramento are planning to be in Philadelphia when Pope Francis makes his visit to the US this week.
"It's probably going to be surreal," Laurie Vargas said.
The Vargas family is getting ready to travel to see the pope.
"That's all I can imagine. Like, wow, are we really here? Is this really the pope?" Laurie said.
They are part of a delegation from Christian Brothers High School flying to Philadelphia to be among hundreds of thousands of people who will be on hand to greet the pontiff on his first visit to the US.
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"It will impact me spiritually just to be in the same presence as the pope and the same area," Eliana Vargas said.
Fourteen-year-old Eliana can't remember any popes before Francis, but likes that he is talking about real issues – even if they're controversial.
"I think it's good for him to address certain situations because then people have something to follow and believe in," Eliana said.
Monsignor James Murphy, a retired priest of the Diocese of Sacramento, was with Pope John Paul II during his visit to Monterey in 1987. He says this pope is an excellent communicator who is able to really connect with people.
"He lives a simple life, a very simple life, and avoids the trappings of the office," Msgr. Murphy said. "And talks about simplicity and comes across as authentic because he does it himself."
He says the pope is not afraid to tackle controversial issues. In the recent past, Pope Francis has touched on issues like divorce, abortion, homosexuality and climate change.
"One of the central messages is to live with interior peace, and the person who has interior peace is the person who lives in harmony with god, with others, with nature and yourself," Msgr. Murphy said.
The Vargas's admire that kind of straight talk with Pope Francis' message of compassion.
"He doesn't seem to be afraid to face those issues and I think he's real about it, and people appreciate that," Laurie said.
With the trip just days away, the family calls this a once in a lifetime experience they won't ever forget.
"Hopefully we'll get close enough to at least get a good picture of him. But if we don't, that's OK. At least we'll be there," Nicolas Vargas said.
The delegation from Christian Brothers High School will leave on Wednesday.