A group of young pilgrims from the Diocese planned to go to Rome for the Canonisation of Carlo Acutis. Instead, they attended the Funeral of Pope Francis. Below is the account of their unforgettable journey.
Saturday – The Funeral of a Pope
The morning began very early at 5:30, with the Roman sun not yet risen. Having already seen how busy the city had become, with both the funeral and the Jubilee for Teenagers drawing immense crowds, we knew we had to set off early to secure a place for this historic moment.
By sunrise, we had reached the edge of St Peter’s Square, settling into a good spot with views of the Basilica, bathed in golden morning light.
The Funeral Mass was undoubtedly a particularly special experience for us all. While many watched from home, being there in person, shoulder to shoulder with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, was something none of us will ever forget. We stood together, united in gratitude for the life and ministry of Pope Francis and the gift of his service to the Church.
Later that evening, some pilgrims remarked on how unusually joyful the funeral had felt. As Christians, we do not grieve death in despair, but rejoice in the promise of eternal life. Especially during the Easter season, the hope of the Resurrection shines all the brighter.
Despite the early start, the day continued with vigour. We made our way to St John Lateran, where we were due to enter the Holy Door and receive the Plenary Indulgence of the Holy Year. If there is one lesson this pilgrimage has taught us, it’s that God’s plan is rarely straightforward, or immediately obvious. Upon arrival, we discovered that we had been bumped: a large group from another diocese had taken our spot.
It was, understandably, a great disappointment. But rather than let it derail the day, Fr Domagoj and Bishop Nicholas led us in praying Vespers together, seated on the steps of the Basilica, and gave a talk on forgiveness.
During his talk, Fr Domagoj said, 'I don’t know why God didn’t want us to have that experience today, but I’ll be praying about it.'
As it turned out, God did, in fact, have something very special in store for us...
Sunday – The Jubilee for Teenagers
Sunday began with Mass in St Peter’s Square for the Jubilee for Teenagers. If Saturday marked the end of an era, Sunday looked ahead to the Church’s future. The square was alive with colour, sound, and joy, young people from all over the world waving flags and singing in countless languages, united as one body in Christ.
While the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis will have to wait for another day, his presence was undoubtedly felt. It was because of him that we were all gathered—highlighting a joyful and hopeful future for our Church.
Following the Mass, we received news of an unexpected addition to our itinerary. After a chance encounter with the bishop responsible for organising the Jubilee Year, Bishop Nicholas Hudson shared our group’s disappointment at missing the Holy Door at St John Lateran. He then managed to secure for us a truly unforgettable experience.
Beyond anyone’s expectations, that afternoon we walked through the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, an extraordinary grace. Afterwards, Bishop Nicholas personally took us on a tour of the Basilica.
This was, for many, the highlight of the pilgrimage, taking in the grandeur, history, and beauty of this sacred space. Fr Domagoj’s question from the day before, 'Why didn’t we go through the Holy Door?', was answered, abundantly and beautifully.
Bishop Nicholas stayed with us for the rest of the afternoon, leading a second, unscheduled tour, this time of the Venerable English College. He walked us through its historic halls, sharing stories of the many English Martyrs who were formed there.
Though the day did not go as originally planned, it far exceeded all expectations. We didn’t witness the canonisation, but God had written a different itinerary for us—one none of us will soon forget.
Monday – The Journey Home
On Monday, we began our journey home, but not before one final surprise. In St Peter’s Square, we were greeted by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who spoke with the pilgrims about the experiences of the past few days.
It was a fitting conclusion to a remarkable pilgrimage. Throughout, we had held in our prayers all those back home, our families, friends, and our Diocese, and especially Cardinal Nichols himself, as he prepares to enter Conclave and help elect the next Pope.
Final Thoughts
Each of us will carry home different lessons from this journey, but a few themes stood out for us all.
First, a renewed sense of hope, both in our Church and in our spiritual lives. We came to Rome to mourn a Pope, but we also witnessed the vibrant energy of a new generation of believers.
Much has been said recently about a revival of faith among young people, and nowhere was that more powerfully seen than at the Jubilee for Teenagers. Thousands gathered not just to celebrate but to live out their faith boldly and joyfully.
Second, we were reminded that God’s plan often unfolds in unexpected ways. Disappointments and setbacks can cloud our vision, but if we remain open, patient, and trusting, we can see God working through it all. This pilgrimage ended up looking very different from what we had imagined even a week before. And yet, none of us would change a thing.
It gave us more than we could have ever hoped for: renewal, grace, and unforgettable memories.
