When Pope Francis addresses Congress on Thursday, some San Diegans will be watching from a special seat on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. They won tickets from Rep. Susan Davis’ office, who like all House members, was given 50 tickets for the pope’s visit.
San Diegan Donna Palm has her suitcase out and is ready to go. The former Benedictine nun says she wouldn’t fly across the country for past popes.
"I wouldn’t walk across the street for most of them, but this fellow is really intriguing," Palm said, who is now a financial planner.
Palm was a nun for most of her adult life and says religious women have done a lot for the church.
"Built their schools, ran their schools, educated their children, brought them into sacraments, raised little priests and nuns," Palm said. She thinks Pope Francis will help heal recent friction between the Vatican and nuns. "His quality of gentleness and spirituality I haven’t seen in the church leadership in a long time."
The Pope’s address will be broadcast on Jumbotrons set up on the west lawn of the capital. Pope Francis is scheduled to come out on a balcony afterward and bless the crowd.
San Diegan Rosa Hernandez is taking a memento to have blessed.
"It’s been in the family for 60 years," Hernandez said, who will be celebrating her 34th birthday on Thursday. The memento's a small rosary book given to her father by the woman who raised him - his grandmother.
Her parents were born in Mexico and raised five daughters in the church.
"They’re very excited, and a little sad they can’t come with me but they’re living vicariously through me," Hernandez said.
Her parents can't take vacation, she said. Her father drives a trash truck and works from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to Hernandez.
She says the momentos she's taking with her will remind her of her parents as she experiences this historical moment.
As a Latina and self-described progressive Catholic, Hernandez feels this is her pope.
"It’s an amazing experience to have someone you feel connected to represent you in some kind of way," she said.
