The entire back row of special guests invited to the Pope's General Audience was occupied by a single family.
Vito and José Ignacio came to Rome from Madrid, Spain with their seven children to celebrate their 25-year wedding anniversary with the Pope.
They say they were struck by the peace they felt after meeting the Pope.
VITO AND JOSÉ IGNACIO
Since I have a lot of kids I always feel overwhelmed, and I always ask the Lord for peace, that he sends me peace. Well, when I was with the Pope he gave me a sense of peace. In this hectic world in which we live, it seems silly, but he truly conveys serenity and peace.
As a gift they brought the Pope a medal of Our Lady of Rocío, whose icon they were married before.
VITO AND JOSÉ IGNACIO
Our daughter Almudena, the little one, gave the medal to the Pope. My other children were trying to tell the Pope some use for the medal, saying “it's a key chain for the keys to the popemobile.” It was a very endearing moment, yes, very touching.
Vito remembers the impact meeting the Pope had on her as a child, and hoped to share that same experience with her own children.
VITO AND JOSÉ IGNACIO
My parents also came here after 25 years of marriage, I'm the oldest of ten siblings and we also celebrated it in Rome with John Paul II who received us, and this was like repeating it all over again. It was a very important moment in our family's life and for my siblings, and now for my children.
The entire family will attend the Pope's other events while in Rome, but meeting him in person is an experience they won't soon forget.
JM
