Atlanta students selected for trip to see the pope

ATLANTA — A group of students will leave metro Atlanta on the trip of a lifetime Wednesday.

Several teens from Cristo Rey High School, in midtown, were chosen to take the trip to see Pope Francis.

“They told me I was going to see the pope and I was like, ‘What?’" said student Carlos Ramirez.

Ramirez says he can hardly believe that teachers nominated him and five other sophomores to join a pilgrimage of Jesuit students to see the first Jesuit pope.

“For him to be among us, it's a huge blessing, it's happiness. He's transmitting that happiness towards us,” Ramirez said.

“That’s how I am preparing myself: open heart, praying and just appreciating this opportunity that I have,” said student Bianca Lopez.

Atlanta's archbishop Wilton Gregory told Channel 2’s Linda Stouffer that Pope Francis is like a shot in the arm for American Catholicism.

“It's the style that has so captured the imagination of the whole world,” Gregory said.

He expects the pope to tackle difficult issues, like racial tensions, with an approach that puts God's mercy first.

“He's energized a lot of people. Obviously, he's energized me,” Gregory said.

Aviana Edwards wants to capture the moment forever.

“I want a selfie with the pope,” Edwards said. “I want to go to him and get a hug.”

Even if she never gets that close in Philadelphia, the teenagers will be recording their journey through journals.

“Even though he's the pope and has so much power other people might abuse it, he uses it towards positive things; good things,” Edwards said.

The students leave for their pilgrimage Wednesday, and they'll be back to share what they've learned with the rest of the school community next week.

WSBTV