The Goan pilgrims outside the St Mary Major church in Rome.
PANAJI
A group of nearly 100 Goan pilgrims, including two priests, on a pilgrimage in Europe, were in the right place and at the right time, as they got to be in Rome on the day Pope Leo XIV was elected as Supreme Pontiff on Thursday evening.
The group of pilgrims from the parishes of Caranzalem and Taleigao, accompanied by Caranzalem Parish Priest Fr Pio Almeida and Taleigao Parish Priest Fr Cyprian D’Silva, had arrived in Rome on May 7.
The Goan pilgrims could feel the excitement and jubilation among people everywhere in Rome when the historic announcement was made that the new pope had been elected.
“When we were about to start our pilgrimage, we received the sad news that Pope Francis had passed away. We were so happy to arrive in Rome on the day our new pope was elected,” said one pilgrim, Leonardo Soares.
Added Fr Cyprian D’Silva: “We were excited to be in St Peter’s Square to be part of this historic moment and to witness the excitement all over the place.”
The Goan pilgrims outside the St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
An ecstatic Paul Siqueira of Zion tours, who organised the pilgrimage in Europe, said it was perfect timing as they arrived in Rome on Wednesday.
“It was a privilege and an honour to be in Rome on Thursday, and we were so blessed,” said Siqueira.
“When we landed, we went to St Padre Pio in Rotondo to see his body and tomb, and we were on our way back to Rome on Thursday when the white smoke was released and Pope Leo XIV was elected. It was such an exciting moment,” said Siqueira.
“There was rejoicing in both the buses as we were in Rome and were going to the Vatican square, museum and holy doors on Friday.”
On Friday, the Goan pilgrims visited the grave of Pope Francis at St Mary Major church, followed by a trip to the Vatican Museum, etc.
The Goan pilgrims had hoped that Pope Leo would celebrate a public Mass on Friday, but later came to know that the Pope had celebrated his first Mass for the cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel, and the people could not see him.
