I found the papal visit to be a very honoured privilege not just because it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience but because of being so close to the Pope. It has had an effect of a real touch of God that will last a lifetime.

My favourite part of the day was the fact that I met so many like-minded and friendly people which showed that God really is present in us all but even saying this I think that the most touching thing of the day was the family talking about how their son was murdered.

I have heard stories like this before but to actually see the bravery and the respect they had for their son, to tell everyone, to try and make a difference to the whole world, I would say is an act of God giving them hope and strength. It affected me so because they showed no hate for the person that killed their son, instead they just tell people of the ordeal to try and stop it happening to someone else’s baby.

I was honoured and excited to be selected to both represent my parish, meet the Pope and travel to London. 

David James Rowson – Holy Infants and St Anthony’s, Bolton