As I was driving to Burnley late in the night, the first thing that came into my mind was "what on earth am i doing? It's 1am and I’m about to do a 6-hour coach journey". These thoughts would soon be changed. After a long coach journey we arrived in London, very tired and confused as to what would be happening throughout the day...

As all the coaches arrived in London, the Salford youth created an atmosphere that had an impact on me straight away; even the youth leaders where just as excited to be there – this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As we gathered in the square outside Westminster Cathedral, chanting and screaming overtook the crowds and there was still an atmosphere of excitement and awe.

The Mass then started and even though we were watching the Pope on a big screen, we still knew the reality – he was inside, inside an amazing Cathedral that we had the luck to be outside, at this point this reality seemed very surreal. Then the time came when the Pope began to walk down the aisle towards the main doors of the Cathedral – these doors being overwhelming in themselves.

The Pope then arrived on the steps, to be welcomed by thousands of youth from different dioceses from all over Great Britain – a warm welcome in my opinion. Screaming and chanting overtook again and the Pope was pleased to see all the happy faces staring back at him, in my case in awe.

We then started the walk to Hyde Park. As we were walking to Hyde Park we were escorted by many types of police, horses, cars, policemen walking – we also held the traffic for quite some time – this didn’t make drivers happy. We then had some dinner and a chill-out to talk about the Westminster Cathedral experience and have a time to express thoughts and feelings to others and among groups.

We then entered the arena at Hyde Park – again lots of atmosphere and excitement. As we waited for the arrival of the Pope again we had a few hours to wait – this is when everyone relaxed and enjoyed time together, which provided entertainment and the big screen showing people in the crowd. The Pope then arrived at Hyde Park and even I had never been so excited in my life.

I feel as though myself and David have been very lucky in our lifetime to be able to share this experience with other young people in our country. In one day we were given the opportunity to be assist at Mass celebrated by the Pope and a vigil with him later on in the day – the feeling from this I could never forget. During the day I enjoyed singing hymns with the rest of the crowd with words on the big screen and a choir that sang them beautifully.

To end this, the day was respectively the best day I have ever had and a day I could never forget, a day I will tell my children about and my grandchildren about – a day I will never let die in my heart.

Laura Culshaw – St Gabriel & All the Angels, Castleton