Today, the Catholic Church is canonizing Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. In 1997, when I was 18 years old, I was fortunate enough to visit The Vatican City and attend the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, at which Pope John Paul II presided. Somehow, as our group was filing into the seating rows in St. Peter's Basilica, I managed to get an aisle seat. I was literally close enough to touch him and I was able to take some great photos.
After the trip, I gave this particular photo to my Grandpa Kowalski. I think my mom gave him a little frame for it and it sat on one of his TV room side tables for the rest of his life. My grandfather was the son of Polish Catholic immigrants, so you can imagine the pride he felt in having a Polish man as the head of the Catholic Church.
After the trip, I gave this particular photo to my Grandpa Kowalski. I think my mom gave him a little frame for it and it sat on one of his TV room side tables for the rest of his life. My grandfather was the son of Polish Catholic immigrants, so you can imagine the pride he felt in having a Polish man as the head of the Catholic Church.
Photo I took of Pope John Paul II and then gave to my grandfather. ©Emily Kowalski Schroeder
Here is the "ticket" we were given to be admitted to the Mass that morning.
©2014, copyright Emily Kowalski Schroeder
