Apr 14, 2008 9:18 pm US/Eastern
Young Catholics Excited For Pope's Visit
MT. LEBANON (KDKA) ―
Thousands of people will flock to Washington D.C. and New York City for Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit to the United States, including a group of young local Catholics.
Youth group members at St. Winifred's in Mt. Lebanon have been reading up on the Pope, learning that he likes cats and even owns an iPod.
The youth will be boarding a bus and attending Thursday's mass at Nationals Stadium in Washington.
"I'm extremely excited because I've obviously never seen the Pope and my mom has and she's explained to me what an experience it was for her," Maura Bell, 14, said.
"Seeing the Pope, it's like, wow, that's a big deal, but you don't actually know how it affects you until you actually get there I guess," Clara Grayhack, 15, said.
More than 40,000 people are expected to attend and the group plans to make themselves stand out as Pittsburghers.
"I think our jackets are supposed to be yellow and black, showing, you know, Steeler, Pittsburgh pride and then the Terrible Towels," Ceci Bruni, 14, said.
Youth Minister Dana Pivik saw Pope John Paul II in person and is anxious for these young people to experience something similar.
"It'll change their life," she said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
"It'll be like an important thing that stands out in my life that I can like tell other people, and then relate what I've experienced," Sean Grayhack, 17, said.
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