CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Students at the University of Dallas who are spending this semester in Rome had a special opportunity to show their love and support for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he officially retired from the papacy.<\/p>\n\t\u201cIt was a very special moment because we were able to give the Pope a farewell present that was totally unique,\u201d said Ada Thomas.<\/p>\n
\tOn Feb. 28, as the Pope traveled by helicopter from the Vatican to his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo to begin his retirement, University of Dallas students were taking part in a campus tradition \u2013 the \u201cGeek Olympics,\u201d a day of games held each semester before the students embark on a trip to Greece.
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tDressed in multi-colored togas, the students interrupted their activities to send the Pope a special message as he passed close to their campus. They aligned themselves on the school\u2019s soccer field to spell out the word \u201cBenedictus\u201d and cheered as the retiring Pope passed.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cAs we squinted up, we could just make out a tiny white speck looking down on us,\u201d Thomas told CNA.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cBeing a convert, Pope Benedict is the only pope I've ever known, so I am terribly sad to see him resign,\u201d she explained. However, she added, everyone has \u201cbeen tremendously supportive of the Pope's decision, and we have been able to see how much he truly appreciates it.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
\tEach semester, the University of Dallas \u2013 a Catholic university based in Texas \u2013 sends approximately 100 students to its Due Santi campus located just outside of Rome, less than two miles from Castel Gandolfo.<\/p>\n
\tWhile the semester is generally remembered as a highlight of students\u2019 time at the university, those who are in Rome this spring have had a particularly memorable trip.<\/p>\n
\tAlex Taylor remembers precisely where he was when he heard the news of Pope Benedict\u2019s resignation on Feb. 11.<\/p>\n
\tHe told CNA that he and his classmates were getting out of an Art and Architecture class, and when the announcement was made, \u201cthe room went from being relatively quiet to abuzz with murmuring students.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWe were both sad to see Benedict go, but definitely excited to be in Rome during a papal election, which is such a rare privilege,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\tDaily Mass on campus that afternoon \u201cwas absolutely full,\u201d he continued. \u201cWe definitely wanted to gather together in prayer for the pope's intentions and for the Holy Spirit to inspire the conclave, even from the very beginning of the proceedings.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tOn Ash Wednesday, students \u201cshowed up en masse\u201d to the papal Mass, which Taylor called \u201can inspiring occasion\u201d and his first glimpse of the Holy Father in person since arriving in Rome. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\tWith the announcement of the resignation, he said, \u201cevery opportunity to see him became even more important.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tThe Holy Father\u2019s \u201ccare and love for the liturgy was apparent\u201d during the celebration of the Mass, Taylor said, adding that \u201csomehow, he reminded me of my own grandfather back home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cI really see the Church as a family, and the pope, whoever he is, is in a way, our father in the faith, correcting us and making sure we do what's right, but always in a spirit of faith, hope, and love,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
\tTaylor and a friend later brought an American flag from a souvenir shop to one of Pope Benedict\u2019s final public events.<\/p>\n
\tHe explained that \u201cwe both really wanted the pope to realize that there are many in America that support and love him, and support the orthodoxy of the Church.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tThe university was able to obtain tickets for the entire student body on the Rome campus to attend the Pope\u2019s last general audience on Feb. 27. Classes were canceled and students were woken up at 5:30 a.m. to travel by bus to St. Peter\u2019s Square.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cEveryone at the audience was very enthusiastic,\u201d Taylor said, adding that it was an \u201cexhilarating experience\u201d to hear the Holy Father address the pilgrims from around the world \u201cin their native tongues.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tThomas agreed, adding that the event was \u201ca moment of great unity,\u201d showing \u201cthe vitality and joy\u201d of the Church as the Pope promised \u201chis continued love and prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cIt also was a testament to Benedict's work over the last eight years, and the great gratitude that all Catholics feel towards him,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\tShortly after the Holy Father\u2019s flight past the campus, Thomas said that she made her way \u201cup to Castel Gandolfo, along with a friend, and prayed a Rosary during Benedict's last hour as Pope.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cIt was very quiet in the Piazza, and I really had the chance to reflect on the last eight years,\u201d she said. \u201cPope Benedict has been a great influence on me, both spiritually as well as intellectually, and being there for the last hour of his pontificate was my personal way of thanking him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThen at 8 o'clock sharp, the Swiss Guards closed the doors to the Papal residence, and, very quietly, it was all over.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tAs the Catholic Church now waits for the cardinals to elect a new Supreme Pontiff, the University of Dallas students are grateful for the blessing of being in Rome during such a historic time.<\/p>\n
\n
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Rome, Italy, Mar 1, 2013 \/ 05:02 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Students at the University of Dallas who are spending this semester in Rome had a special opportunity to show their love and support for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he officially retired from the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-europe"],"yoast_head":"\n
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