Peoria Man Watches Pope Francis Greet the World for the First Time
By: Administrator
Updated: March 13, 2013
Peoria - There was a Central Illinoisan in that international sea of faces on Saint Peter's Square. Peoria Notre Dame alum Hank San German is studying abroad in London. For spring break, he and some friends decided to head to Rome to get in on the conclave excitment.
They gathered Wednesday at Vatican City, and waited in the rain and frigid temperatures for 5 hours, hoping to be apart of history.
San German says seeing the white smoke and then the new pope was a moment he will never forget.
"It was absolutely just enthralling seeing him come out on the balcony. Instantly everyone just burst into joy and as soon as they saw the white smoke. I'm pretty sure half of it was for the new pope to be there and the other half was excitement for yeah we waited for something" San German says.
They gathered Wednesday at Vatican City, and waited in the rain and frigid temperatures for 5 hours, hoping to be apart of history.
San German says seeing the white smoke and then the new pope was a moment he will never forget.
"It was absolutely just enthralling seeing him come out on the balcony. Instantly everyone just burst into joy and as soon as they saw the white smoke. I'm pretty sure half of it was for the new pope to be there and the other half was excitement for yeah we waited for something" San German says.
