St. Marys man meets the pope
October 26. 2013 9:34PM
LANCE MIHM 419-993-2091 • lmihm@civitasmedia.com
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Get Text AlertsFor those who did not take Latin in high school, those two simple words mean “hello teacher.” The two simple words brought a smile to the face of Pope Francis as Kent Miller, of St. Marys, used them in a recent meeting with the pontiff at Vatican City.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Miller said. “He’s kind of like a rock star. He brings everybody to their feet when he is around.”
Miller’s meeting with Pope Francis on Oct. 12 was by chance, with that chance even exponentially less considering he is Lutheran, a denomination that split from the Catholic Church in the 1500s.
The Rev. Barry Stechschulte of Holy Rosary Catholic Church began to plan the pilgrimage two years ago. Word soon got out about Stechschulte’s planned trip, and many people began to inquire about going along.
“Some of the people caught on of what I had planned,” Stechschulte said. “We ended up with 22 people going.”
Miller had developed a meeting for breakfast friendship with Stechschulte, and finally made plans to go along on the trip to Rome.
While at the Vatican, the group met with a priest in charge of American pilgrimages. He dropped a big surprise on Stechschulte.
“He said one person would get a personal meeting with the pope,” Stechschulte said.
Stechschulte said he felt led by the Holy Spirit for choosing Miller for the honor, along with it being the most logical choice.
“Everyone else there was there as a couple,” Stechschulte said. “I couldn’t go as a priest. I didn’t want to break up any couples. Kent seemed like the logical choice.”
Miller said he was quite nervous after learning he had been chosen to meet with the pope.
“It was only the day before when they told me,” Miller said. “What do you say to the pope? When I got in line, I got a little bit nervous. Everyone else in line around me was nervous too.”
Miller was one of 30 people who shared a personal meeting with Pope Francis. He said any nervousness he felt was quickly alleviated by Pope Francis’ demeanor.
“He is a friendly, warm human being,” Miller said. “A lot of people that would be in a position like that you would expect to be pompous. He’s a simple man and it was just like talking to anyone else.”
Miller’s meeting with the pope lasted about two minutes, and he got a chance to share a short conversation with Pope Francis.
“I thanked him for having me there,” Miller said. “I told him I admired his message and ideas. I told him that I pray for Christian unity and that we can all work together.”
As a customary gift, Pope Francis gave Miller a rosary.
“We all watched on the big screen and cheered,” Stechschulte said.
The group spent some time sightseeing, with stops at the Catacombs, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Dome, and many of the Vatican museums. Stechschulte participated in Mass as a priest. About 200,000 people were in attendance at the Mass.
Stechschulte said the group gelled together and had a great trip.
“It was great getting to meet the other pilgrims and getting to know all the people,” Stechschulte said.
Miller said the one thing standing out to him most was the pope’s genuineness.
“I will remember his warmth and that he was genuine in nature,” Miller said. “He didn’t seem one bit like you would anticipate a pope. He is the real deal.”
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