Twenty-five Xavier students, along with 13 teachers and family members, embarked on an iconic road trip Thursday night. The group traveled to Philadelphia in order to take part in the Pope Francis’s historic first visit to the United States. The Pope touched down in the United States on Wednesday, September 22 with President Obama, the first family, and other distinguished dignitaries waiting to greet him upon his arrival.

While in the United States, Pope Francis kept busy. During his visit, the Pope canonized Junipero Serra as a saint, met with the United Nations, and held numerous Papal Masses. Pope Francis also met and talked with many different types of people including public officials, school children, prisoners, and the people who lined the streets wherever he went. The Pope also met with Congress on Thursday, encouraging them to be compassionate and empathetic toward people struggling around the world, including immigrants, those living in poverty, and those in war-torn countries.

“I am convinced that we can make a difference,” Pope Francis said to Congress. The group’s 17 hour bus ride went through the night on Thursday and ended in New Jersey Friday afternoon. They stayed with 425 other people at Camp Ockanickon in Medford, New Jersey. Activities at the camp included witness talks, sports, board games, guided meditation, and stations of the cross.

“The best part of camping was getting lost in the woods and bonding with all of the other students,” senior Katie Neumeyer said. “It was a lot of fun and it made the trip more adventurous!”

The Xavier group saw the Pope in Philadelphia on Saturday. The day included an hour-long bus ride to Philadelphia, a four mile walk to the Festival of Families, and a nearly seven hour wait until the start of their audience with Pope Francis. They passed the day by engaging in different activities at the Festival of Families, a day long program that ended with the Papal audience. The festival included different performances to watch and activities to enjoy.

After performances by world renowned artists, Pope Francis and the millions of people who attended the Festival of Families listened to talks from six families who had come from all over the world. These families spoke of the struggles and joys that come from being part of a family. After the families spoke, Pope Francis gave a speech for all those in attendance about the importance of families. Sunday, the group of students and families made the trek to Philadelphia once again, this time to attend the Papal Mass held at the Philadelphia Sports Stadium. “The Papal Mass was the high point of the Pope’s visit to the United States,” senior Jacob Francois said.

“It was so amazing to see his Holiness and to see the Church fully alive in America.” After Mass, the group retreated to their busses and took off for their 17 hour bus ride back to Cedar Rapids, where they hope to inspire the Xavier community by sharing their experience.

“The experience was tremendous,” Social Studies Teacher Ms. Gineal Schrunk said. “Each time Pope Francis was scheduled to make an appearance, there was a tangible feeling of excitement and anticipation! It felt a lot like being in Time Square before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve!” Gwen Cataldo & Ellie Fischer News Writers