Pope's viewing changes
student's life
By Erica Fisher
Staff Writer
14 hours in line for 40 seconds of viewing
was worth every second, says Ramiro Anzaldua
After Pope John Paul II’s death, nearly
4 million people jammed into Rome, doubling the
city’s population. Presidents, prime ministers
and kings joined pilgrims and prelates in St.
Peter’s Square to bid an emotional farewell.
Among those mourners was North Lake student Ramiro
Anzaldua, who said the trip changed his life forever.
“After waiting for 14 hours we got inside
the Vatican and walked through the aisles praying
and giving thanks to God for helping us make it
to the end,” Anzaldua said.
“My friend, Norma Gaut, helped me to take
some pictures quickly because the security was
so strict. The viewing of the pope’s body
lasted for only about 40 seconds,” he said.
When the pope died April 2, Anzaldua was in Mexico.
After he learned of the pope’s death, he
came back and got permission from his supervisor
to go to Rome. It’s a choice he cherishes.
“After making this last-minute decision,
I started a journey that would forever change
my life. During our flight we met people from
Marshall’s and some fathers from the church,”
Anzaldua said.
During his reign, Pope John Paul visited 129
countries, and was the first pope to ever visit
the United States. He served as leader of the
Catholic religion for 26 years.
“Once we arrived in Rome I could not believe
how many people were around us; there were thousands
and thousands of pilgrims. They were singing,
praying, and screaming the pope’s name,
while carrying candles in their hands,”
Anzaldua said.
Other North Lake students watched the funeral
on television, as did millions of others around
the world.
“It is amazing how one man’s death
has joined so many people [together],” Carson
Cox said.
Meagan Freeman joined with friends and family
over the weekend of the pope’s death.
“We prayed for the cardinals who faced
the task of choosing our next pope,” Freeman
said.
Meanwhile, Anzaldua is glad he fought off exhaustion,
hunger, the cold weather and the long wait to
say farewell to the pope.
“It was around 1:50 a.m. when one of the
last groups of people was allowed inside the Vatican
to view the pope’s body. Our experience
left something special in our hearts; regardless
of the sacrifices, we felt truly blessed,”
he said.
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