While many people may remember Pope Benedict as a shy and perhaps timid person, the Holy Father’s visit to New York City enlivened countless numbers of people from around the globe.

Pope Benedict’s time in New York City back in 2008 was robust and dynamic, especially for the Latino community.

He visited the United Nations, the 9/11 Memorial, and Yankee Stadium. While Pope John Paul II celebrated two Masses in cathedrals for clergy only, one for priests in Washington, DC, in 1979, and one in Denver for bishops during World Youth Day 2006, Pope Benedict’s Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral was his first public Mass inside a church in the United States. He also held an event at St. Joseph’s Seminary that inspired youth to embody the virtues of generosity, grace, and faith.

But it was not just the youth that was thrilled by the visit of the Holy Father. Years later, those who attended the Mass and other events are still recalling the impact of those experiences.

Adriana Montealegre lives in Westchester, New York, where she also works as a secretary. She is married and the mother of two daughters. Adriana had the chance to meet the Holy Father at St. Joseph Seminary and saw him again at Yankee Stadium.

“I kept saying how much I wanted to see the pope, but never knew how it would happen. Then, one of my dear friends from the seminary invited me to St. Joseph’s to meet the pope. I also won the lottery to see the pope at Yankee Stadium. In both cases, I was so excited and could feel my whole body say ‘yes’ to this experience,” she said.

Before having the opportunity to meet the Holy Father, Adriana felt like he was very serious, but after meeting the Holy Father, she felt a deep wisdom and love transmitting from him.

“When he walked out and looked at me, I felt a conversion inside of me. Just looking at him felt like a spiritual experience, and I instantly knew I had to pray more for the priesthood and seminary. I also knew that I needed to do more to give back to the Church that I loved so much. After seeing the Holy Father, I became a Eucharistic Minister and RCIA teacher. I remember being at Yankee Stadium and St. Joseph’s Seminary, seeing people of all colors and races, speaking many languages, but united in spirit. It was remarkable to me that this one man could bring us all together with a level of happiness and holiness that I had never felt. I felt proud to be Catholic and felt that we are truly protected. When I was around the Holy Father, I felt the same level of care and protection that a child feels with their parents. Every time the pope talked or gave us a look, I felt his mercy and strength.”

Adriana was not the only member of the audience who was deeply touched by the presence of the Holy Father. Amparo Lopez also lives and attends Mass in Westchester. She is a crossing guard at an elementary school and also works in the insurance department of a dental office in White Plains. She is married and the mother of two children, a boy who is 30 years old, and a daughter that is 22. She also attended the Mass at Yankee Stadium, and to her surprise, she was very close to the pope as he entered the Stadium. 

“I saw his eyes, and I could feel an energy that transmitted holiness. He felt like a good person, transparent, with a sense of peace and humility in his smile and his eyes. There was a holiness that I could just feel. I was so happy that I called the people I knew and told them I felt like I was witnessing Christ on Earth. I just could not believe it,” she said.

Amparo shared what this day meant to her as a Catholic.

“My Catholic faith has always been important to me, and this day made me feel even more proud to be Catholic and in the company of so many people from around the world who were also celebrating their faith. People woke up early and took trains from all over, all to be there because they wanted to be there. That was really special to see. I realized that this day could be a transformative day of change for many of the people in attendance. I think people are looking for God in one way or another, and that day was a great example,” she said.

Adriana also shared the sentiment that people are searching for something sacred, and how it is worth it to make the commitment to deeper faith.

“For me, finding the Holy Father was like finding God, and in finding God, we can find ourselves. The Holy Father showed me that in the quest for this holiness, independent of health or age or any other factor, it should always be done with love.”