Lubbock Students in Rome During Papal Conclave
By: Monica Yantosh
Updated: March 13, 2013
Seniors from Christ the King Cathedral landed in Lubbock Wednesday evening after spending part of their spring break in Rome.
While they were not able to witness the announcement of Pope Francis I, they were in Rome when the Papal Conclave began on Tuesday.
"It was eye opening, it was amazing, I had never seen anything like it before, just seeing so many cultures come around to see one event," said Senior Patrick Pachiano.
The students waited out in the rain for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of some smoke pouring from the chimney.
"Everyone's attention when the black smoke came out was already crazy and just so focused on that black smoke," said Pachiano.
"It was crazy, it was hectic, there were so many people there, we sat there, we were probably there for 3 or 4 hours, just waiting, and then we saw it and everybody's attention went to it, and there was pictures, there was everything, it was crazy," said Claire Vargas, another Christ the King Senior.
The students were on the senior class trip, which had been planned since their freshman year, but this year's trip included they had not been expecting.
"We found out a couple weeks ago that Pope Benedict had resigned, and we would potentially be there for the conclave, the students were very very excited," said teacher Alicea Chaloupka, who went with the students. "When the smoke did come, I can honestly say all 9 kids were excited, you could hear the sighs, you could hear the kind of screams from the crowd, you could hear the sigh of disappointment from the crowd as it was black smoke."
While they did not witness the vote that resulted in white smoke, they all say this is an experience they will remember forever.
"It was a trip of a lifetime for all of us," said Chaloupka.
"A once in a lifetime experience, so something this class will surely cherish," said Pachiano.
The students spent nine days abroad, and visited the Vatican twice, once Sunday, before it was decorated for the vote, and then again Tuesday as they waited for the vote results.
While they were not able to witness the announcement of Pope Francis I, they were in Rome when the Papal Conclave began on Tuesday.
"It was eye opening, it was amazing, I had never seen anything like it before, just seeing so many cultures come around to see one event," said Senior Patrick Pachiano.
The students waited out in the rain for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of some smoke pouring from the chimney.
"Everyone's attention when the black smoke came out was already crazy and just so focused on that black smoke," said Pachiano.
"It was crazy, it was hectic, there were so many people there, we sat there, we were probably there for 3 or 4 hours, just waiting, and then we saw it and everybody's attention went to it, and there was pictures, there was everything, it was crazy," said Claire Vargas, another Christ the King Senior.
The students were on the senior class trip, which had been planned since their freshman year, but this year's trip included they had not been expecting.
"We found out a couple weeks ago that Pope Benedict had resigned, and we would potentially be there for the conclave, the students were very very excited," said teacher Alicea Chaloupka, who went with the students. "When the smoke did come, I can honestly say all 9 kids were excited, you could hear the sighs, you could hear the kind of screams from the crowd, you could hear the sigh of disappointment from the crowd as it was black smoke."
While they did not witness the vote that resulted in white smoke, they all say this is an experience they will remember forever.
"It was a trip of a lifetime for all of us," said Chaloupka.
"A once in a lifetime experience, so something this class will surely cherish," said Pachiano.
The students spent nine days abroad, and visited the Vatican twice, once Sunday, before it was decorated for the vote, and then again Tuesday as they waited for the vote results.
