Meeting Pope at Ground Zero Brings Tears to Sept. 11 Survivor
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Looking into Pope Benedict XVI's eyes as she genuflected in front of him during his visit to the former World Trade Center site, Julie Malik knew the pope understood what she had experienced on a disastrous September morning more than six years ago. "I remember thinking, 'You're here. You're here to help us. You took your time to understand,'" Malik said of the April 20 meeting. Malik, 57, was one of four survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack in lower Manhattan who met the pontiff during his visit to ground zero. Four rescue workers and 16 people who lost family members in the disaster also met the pope at the site. "There's one word I can think of to describe (the meeting) and that is 'amazing,'" Malik told Catholic News Service. "His eyes are so penetrating. He just stares in your eyes." END
I have a vivid memory of witnessing this during Our Holy Father's visit while I watched on TV. At every opportunity he had, he took time to stop and look directly into every single person's eyes and listen to them with patience and love. We are so blessed to have this Pope.
“The grace of our Lord be with us forever.” ~ Sr. Marie
