Since 2009, The Rome Experience—an initiative of Midwest Theological Forum—has introduced seminarians to the heart of the Church through a 6-week summer program, complementing their diocesan formation, invigorating their vocations, and enlivening their fidelity to the Holy Father. This year, its mission came to life in a powerful way as the 24 seminarians met Pope Leo XIV himself—sharing which dioceses they are from and receiving his blessing.
Read about this experience of a lifetime from participant Max Rettler, seminarian for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee:
When we woke up on June 11, we knew we had special seats for the papal audience, but as Fr. Eric Sternberg showed our ticket to the Italian police, Swiss guards, and Vatican officials, the closer and closer we got to where Pope Leo XIV would deliver his Wednesday address. The Holy Father spoke beautifully and then blessed the thousands that were present and began to greet members of the Magisterium. It was then that one of our seminarians was talking to a Vatican usher, who invited us into a special line so the Pope could greet our group. We waited as he greeted the infirmed so gently, and our excitement and disbelief grew.
Then it was time. He approached us, and I mentioned we are seminarians from across the United States—from Texas, California, Vermont, Florida, and even Wisconsin—in Rome to learn and to be formed deeper to the heart of Christ in the heart of the Church. We reminded him he met with our group last when the 2024 Rome Experience group made a visit to the Dicastery for Bishops. Then I asked him if he saw the bottom of our sign and gestured to where we had written “Dinner?” To which he laughed, tilted his head to the side, and shrugged his shoulders… Not exactly a “no”! We took our group photo and then asked for his papal blessing. This was such a poignant, surreal moment for all of us.
His blessing was in English. His blessing had an American accent. This is a new era of the papacy, and this Successor of St. Peter is American. There was no language barrier or difficulty. He knows the United States, the politics, the Church, and where our respective dioceses are. He knows us, he cares for us, and he loves us.
I could tell that by how he took the time to be with us. His handshake and the gaze of his eyes showed how truly present he was. He was truly present right there with us and locked in with his eye contact and smile. Not only was he joyful, but so was his posse around him—his security detail, priest secretary, and official Vatican ushers. They moved with him and matched the joy he exuded from being so present to all he encountered. This is a man of deep prayer and joy, and you can tell that by his smile and the way he interacts with the faithful.
Though we have not yet received his RSVP for dinner, we have received a deeply spiritual experience none of us will forget. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity we were so blessed to have, and for that we give thanks and praise to God. As he left, we said, “We love you, and we are praying for you!” And we know he loves us, too. Being with the one who holds the Keys to the Kingdom is such a grace filled opportunity that will fuel our lives as Catholics, and one day as priests, as we form our lives more deeply to the Lord’s own life.
Top Image: Pope Leo XIV and Seminarians from The Rome Experience
