PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Vincent LeVien, director of external affairs for DeSales Media Group, received much more than he anticipated when he and his wife, Bridget, first planned their family’s spring break vacation to Rome.
The couple from North Valley Stream, New York, set out to attend the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis on April 27, part of the Jubilee of Teenagers. The trip was intended to be a one-in-a-lifetime educational experience for their children, Sophia, 13, and Vincent Jr., 11.
However, the Vatican postponed the event upon the death of Pope Francis. So, just hours before their scheduled departure, the LeViens reconsidered their travel plans — but only for a moment.
They decided to make their flight to Rome, but with a different goal: To pay their respects to the Holy Father.
“We were honored to be able to attend the funeral Mass and to see the overwhelming love and support that Pope Francis was given,” LeVien said on April 28.
He described his family’s amazement at seeing leaders of all major religions in attendance, including Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Islamic, Jewish, and Protestant faiths.
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“I’ve never seen that before,” LeVien said in a telephone interview with The Tablet from London during a layover for his family’s return trip.
The days leading up to the family’s departure afforded no time for LeVien to contemplate spiritual issues.
On Good Friday, he accompanied Bishop Robert Brennan on the Way of the Cross Procession from Downtown Brooklyn, over the Brooklyn Bridge, and into Lower Manhattan.
But, on Saturday, a fire gutted St. Edmund Church on Breezy Point. So, on Easter Sunday, LeVien was coordinating media accessibility to Bishop Brennan’s tour of the charred church interior.
On Easter, after enjoying a nice dinner with the family, and with bags packed for the next day’s departure for Rome, LeVien’s head hit the pillow. Then, a few hours later, he was jolted awake with news of the death of Pope Francis.
After deciding to keep their travel plans, the LeViens boarded their flight with full confidence they would still be well received by their host, Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi — the location for Blessed Carlo’s tomb.
LeVien had befriended Archbishop Sorrentino, who brought a relic of Blessed Carlo’s heart to the United States on April 3, 2022, for veneration, during the U.S. bishops’ National Eucharistic Revival campaign.
As director of external affairs for DeSales Media Group, the parent company of The Tablet, LeVien has spent decades coordinating events such as the relic’s tour of the U.S.
Drawing upon his experiences in government relations, he has worked closely with city and state elected officials, the staffs of a few U.S. presidents, and the Vatican.
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Such was the case on Sept. 24, 2015, when Pope Francis arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport as part of his tour of North America. Ed Wilkinson, editor emeritus of The Tablet, wrote recently how LeVien was the last person to shake hands with Pope Francis before departing New York City.
LeVien also serves on the board of directors for Pave the Way Foundation which helps foster mutual understanding and peace among religions.
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During their trip, the LeVien family still managed to visit Blessed Carlo’s tomb in Assisi, alongside many others, including scores of teenagers. The same pilgrims turned out for Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26 in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
LeVien said his family witnessed dignitaries enter, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prince William, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom.
The family also saw contingents from Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia, and leaders from African and South American countries, including Argentina, where Pope Francis was born.
“I think Pope Francis opened up a lot of doors to a lot of faiths,” LeVien said. “I was always amazed by his love for people and what he did to cross over all different lines. Right before he passed away, he was still trying to bring peace in Ukraine and Russia.”
LeVien marveled at how the pope pressed for peace between Israel and Hamas since the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and how Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy were seen having a face-to-face talk at the Vatican during a break from funeral proceedings.
“Honestly, he made that happen,” LeVien said of the pope. “My takeaway is he always tried to open up the Church in ways other people didn’t.”
The experience has also made LeVien realize that the power of the Church rests not just from its pope, but from the love shared by its universal congregation.
“Seeing what I saw this week has made me even stronger in the faith of the Church,” LeVien said. “What I’ve noticed … is that the Church is not only about one person. It’s about our faith and believing in our faith.”
“It was so touching to see how the Church can come together in honor of Pope Francis,” Sophia said via email. “And something that I will remember forever is seeing everyone from different cultures and faiths come together.”