By Diana Marie Paunetto
With each new day, the sun rises and it’s a blessing – God’s way of saying here is another day to do good and share friendship and love. My mother and I watched the sunrise the day before we left for home and looked back on this amazing trip, the people we met, and the most important reason, to continue our pilgrimage of our Catholic faith in our ancestral homeland of Sicily.
I had the opportunity to be in Sicily for a special gathering of teenagers and young adults with Pope Francis in Palermo’s Piazza Politeama, Sept. 15.
Before heading out on the long walk to see the Holy Father, I took a photo with my cousin, Pietro D’Antoni, whose assignment for the day was to photograph Pope Francis during Mass.
My mother and I wished him luck and went our separate ways. Our day started out at 4 a.m. from the town of Baida, outside of Palermo Citta. We arrived at the Porto di Palermo close to where the Mass for the 25th anniversary of the death of Padre Pino Puglisi was to be held. He was a defender of the people and was killed by the mafia on his 56th birthday. We walked among many people of faith who came from places that were near and far. We had to go through several security checkpoints before being able to go into the Port area.
After a few hours of waiting, the Sicilian sun was blazing but that didn’t stop everyone from waiting the many hours before the Mass started. Many fell ill and the paramedics had to help everyone. I, unfortunately, was one of them.
From afar, we watched the pope fly in his helicopter to the two events prior to the Mass, one of which was meeting Brother Biagio Conte from the Mission of Hope and Charity who many people in Palermo know. He was an entrepreneur who gave up his fortune to devote his life to the poor. As the pope flew overhead, we all felt a rush of exhilaration.
As I was making my way to the medical tents and to take cover in a hotel where a friend was staying, we made our way toward the road where Pope Francis would arrive for Mass.
Pope Francis’ Smile
While on his mobile, he waved at everyone, but he made eye contact, pointed and smiled at me. We saw the rest of the Mass on television but with little sound because the hotel was the headquarters for the media.
The next event my mother and I attended in the Piazza Politeama was later in the day and I tried my best to not miss anything. This was an event for young people and had many performances, some by young children. When the pope was arriving at this event, he spotted me in the crowd again. I was wearing a large marcasite cross. I couldn’t believe he spotted me for a second time among the massive crowds of people that lined Via Liberta.
Throughout the day, I gave out “Friendship Lights,” the creator of which is a friend, his name is Jack Giambanco. His message is to spread joy and friendship throughout the world. I gave them out to many individuals such as young adult groups, teens, and The Sisters Of Saint Francis. I had alot of fun making new friends across the sea who share my love of faith and Sicily.
My experiences that day were life changing and to be near Pope Francis was like a dream come true. Even though I wasn’t able to speak to him, I saw him close at two moments during that incredible day in my life. I have been told that through my gift of singing, I bring joy to others. I feel singing is a form of prayer. I still have the dream of singing for him one day and that he will feel the same way. I hope to meet with him at a papal audience when we return to Rome next July. I won’t give up on my dreams and I thank everyone for their support.
Paunetto is a parishioner at St. Saviour, Park Slope; a freshman at Edward R. Murrow H.S., Midwood, and the youngest member of the diocesan choir.