Earlier than the Muñoz household set out on their journey to Italy, they concocted a plan: They needed to see Pope Leo XIV at Vatican Metropolis. However they found that he had left the Vatican for a six-week relaxation at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer time retreat on Lake Alban south of Rome.
They determined to hop in a cab Sunday and make the brief drive to the Cathedral of Albano in Albano Laziale, near the retreat.
The household pushed their method via to rise up to the barricade outdoors the cathedral, ready practically two hours within the solar. As soon as Leo made his method nearer to them, the Muñoz household stunned him with a present to remind him of his hometown: a T-shirt with ‘Da Pope’ written on it in white lettering and that includes the basic navy blue and orange colours of the Bears.
“I purchased it on Amazon for the household, simply as a enjoyable photo-op second,” stated Ann Muñoz, a South Loop resident. “I ordered one further simply on a whim, on the off likelihood that we may possibly throw it at him from the again of the gang or one thing. It was simply fully wishful pondering.”
The shirt is in reference to the nickname for Chicago’s NFL group, ‘Da Bears,’ which turned a bit in a recurring sketch on “Saturday Night time Dwell.”
Ann Muñoz, who holds Bears season tickets, stated it was a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to fulfill Robert Prevost, who turned the primary U.S.-born pope in Might. She traveled to Rome together with her husband and three kids, all of whom have been capable of converse briefly with the pontiff.
“There’s such a way of satisfaction there, since you simply really feel that connection,” Ann Muñoz stated. “You simply need to be related.”
Ann Muñoz stated her son handed Leo the shirt, telling the pontiff that it was a present.
“That is for me?” the pope requested earlier than holding up the shirt.
“He didn’t say a lot,” she stated. “We have been those that have been telling him, ‘We love you, we’re from Chicago.’ He did most of his speaking simply along with his smile and his contact, and holding on to our fingers, every one in all us.”
When Leo obtained to her, Ann Muñoz stated, she was even capable of kiss his ring, which is seen as a conventional signal of respect to the pope.
An image of the household and the pope was even posted on the pope’s official Instagram web page.
Ann Muñoz stated she and her household felt so welcomed by Pope Leo XIV, and their assembly was a blessing they didn’t count on to obtain.
“We are able to’t cease fascinated about it, as a result of it’s the last word encounter as a Catholic, even simply as a Chicagoan,” Ann Muñoz stated. “You’ll be able to’t faux the joy that all of us had that day.”
