Tyrone woman recalls magical meeting with Pope Francis in Rome

A LOCAL woman and her husband have shared fond memories of meeting Pope Francis during their honeymoon in Rome.

Emma Phillips and her husband Michael were preparing for their wedding in Cappagh Parish back in 2016 when they first heard about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a papal audience.

It was during a wet November evening that the idea of travelling to Rome and possibly meeting the Pope was suggested.

The couple were taking part in a Marriage Preparation course when Fr Daniel McFaul told them about the Vatican’s weekly General Audiences.

Pope Francis, then five years into his pontificate, often greeted newlywed couples as part of the Sposi Novelli blessing, which takes place at the conclusion of Wednesday General Audiences at the Vatican. Because it’s specifically for newlyweds, you have to have been married within the past two months to sign up.

“Fr McFaul said if anyone was honeymooning in Rome, they could consider attending and maybe receive a blessing from the Pope,” Emma explained.

Emma and Michael married on July 28, 2017, and decided to travel to Rome.

What they thought might be a simple audience turned into something unforgettable.

“We were hopeful just to catch a glimpse, but the Sposi Novelli exceeded our wildest expectations,” said Emma. “He met and blessed each couple. As honeymoons go, it was a wonderful start.”

Now, eight years later, the couple say they are joining the world in mourning a man they briefly met but will never forget.