St. Xavier Students, Staff Hit Road For Popeapalooza
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Many Chicagoans have headed to the East Coast to see and pray with Pope Francis during his first visit to the U.S. as the head of the Catholic Church. You might call it a pilgrimage, but at St. Xavier University, they're calling it the Popeapalooza Tour.
Two vanloads of St. Xavier students and professors boarded buses Friday morning to head to Philadelphia to see the papal mass on Sunday, at the conclusion of Pope Francis' visit to the United States.
St. Xavier vice president of ministry Graziano Marcheschi said the trip generated a lot of interest from the community.
"We have a wait list; people who wanted to come along with us. On social media, we've had so many messages about 'Wish we could go with you. God bless you.'"
Sophomore Reyna Tavera said she's excited and nervous about the opportunity to see Pope Francis in person.
"I think people my age can relate to him so much, because he is open-minded, and he's not that judgmental. He understands that modern day society is different from what life was like back then, and he's able to address issues in a way we're able to understand," she said.
Fellow sophomore John Shannon, a Muslim, said Pope Francis also has been able to influence people of many faiths.
"This pope really speaks to all of us who want to lead a more compassionate, merciful, loving life. He's been very instrumental in spearheading different ways of looking at modern day issues, whether it be poverty, sexuality, just general inclusion," "Regardless of my faith, regardless of anyone's faith – whether you're Christian, Muslim, Jew, atheist even – this pope really has a message of just tolerance, love, and understanding anyone."
Marcheschi was bringing 60 rosaries with him, hoping to get them blessed by the pope after Sunday's mass. If Pope Francis does bless them, Marcheschi will shar them with St. Xavier students.
