It was a case of the smallest shall be first and the tallest shall be last when Middlesbrough’s own Annie Hunter came face to face with Pope Benedict.
One young person from each diocese in England and Wales was chosen for the unique gathering on the steps of Westminster Cathedral after Mass on Saturday morning. And when they were told to stand in height order, with the smallest representative nearest to the Holy Father, 5ft 6ins Annie was elevated to a prime position.
“The Pope arrived at the Cathedral at about 10am and although I couldn’t see much at that point, the atmosphere was amazing,” said 16-year-old Annie. “Everyone was just in awe. We were on our toes trying to see him.”
Annie and the other diocesan representatives then went inside the Cathedral for Mass while the other young people waited outside. Afterwards they came out and waited for the clergy and dignitaries to leave.
“It was really cold but we were so excited we couldn’t feel it, even though our bones were shaking,” says Annie. “It seems as though people were coming out of the church forever, then the Pope came our and I’m going to cry just talking about it! He spoke to everyone and I think what he said was really awesome. One of the young people then gave a speech and did it really, really well. We all stood on the steps and we were told to go in height order and because I was the smallest, I got to stand next to the Pope. He shook a few people’s hands but I didn’t dare ask. But we had eye contact for a few seconds and he lifted his hand to say hello. It all feels like a dream now and I just feel so lucky.”
Around 50 young people under the guidance of Diocesan Youth Officer Fiona Moffatt set off from Middlesbrough’s St Mary’s Cathedral at midnight on Friday, arriving in London at 6am. They returned home in the early hours of Sunday morning, exhausted but very happy and full of special memories that will last a lifetime.
“I think the overwhelming message I got was that because of the way society is and the amount of people who don’t believe, it’s reinforced into us in a weird kind of way that it’s okay to sin,” says Annie. “But when you watch the Pope speak you see things from a completely different and positive point of view and it really help people understand that it’s not actually that difficult to be a good Catholic, it’s just seems difficult sometimes. It can be hard to love your neighbour as yourself. But when you listen to the Pope you can really see in his face that that’s the way he lives his life and it he makes you realise that if he can do it, then you can too.”
*Andrew Gardner, 21, from Marton, and Christianne Lombard, 20, from Marske, made it onto the television news channels as they carried the diocesan banner – which was designed by Christianne’s mum, Mary – at the Hyde Park prayer vigil later in the day.
Bishop Terry also featured prominently in the proceedings and was shown smiling and waving at our young people and later meeting the Pope.