Irish couple's honeymoon takes wild turn amid accidental date with Pope Leo
A Co Donegal man who thought he was going to Waterford on his honeymoon ended up with a front row seat at the unveiling of new Pope Leo at the Vatican.
Killybegs man Shane McCrudden was happy to stay in Ireland pottering about considering the good weather the country is having. But the love of his life had other plans.
However, not even Sinead Doogan could have dreamt that things could have worked out so well for herself and her new husband. Because not only did they have the best day of their lives with the perfect wedding, but they also had their marriage blessed by new Pope Leo XIV.
As beautiful as the sunny south-east is, Sinead decided in February to surprise Shane with a trip to Rome for their honeymoon. He only discovered her plan on the morning of their wedding when she left a letter for him at his house telling him of their trip to the famous city.
Speaking from Rome, Shane said he was simply gobsmacked by the gesture. "I've been to most places in Ireland but I always fancied spending a few days in Waterford and I thought that was where we were going.
"But Sinead surprised me with this trip to Rome and only told me in a letter she left at my house on Saturday morning last before the wedding. It was a beautiful surprise but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead to the most incredible few days we have just had," he said.
The couple enjoyed the most beautiful wedding mass at St Mary of the Visitation Church in Killybegs before a memorable reception at An Chuirt Hotel under the shadow of Errigal Mountain in Gaoth Dobhair before flying to Rome on Tuesday.
As organised as she is, Sinead did not plan for them to arrive in the middle of the succession plans of a new Pope into the Vatican following the passing of the late Pope Francis. The couple visited St Peter's Square on Wednesday before returning again yesterday only to be disappointed by the bellows of black smoke from the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel.
However, a local priest from Mexico whom Shane got chatting to suggested they should hang around as he felt news on the new Pope would not be far away. And after just two ballots, that news did arrive shortly after 6pm local time as white smoke spouted from the chimney announcing a successor had been found.
Shane revealed he and Sinead were overcome with emotion. "I'm not an overly religious person but I do have my faith and I did shed a tear I was so emotional. The joy in the crowd was just overwhelming.
"It was incredible to see the white smoke, it's a once in a lifetime event and most people will never see it in person. But for me the sound of the bells was just incredible. I have to say it did beat a few days in Waterford. It's something I doubt we will ever top in our lifetimes," said Shane.
The couple flew back home to Donegal last night when they will do doubt have to tell the story of their honeymoon and their audience with the new Pope to family and friends.
Having met 13 years ago at the Killybegs Summer Festival on the night Shane was elected Mayor of Killybegs, the last few days have undoubtedly been the highlight of their lives together.
And who knows, they might just get to Waterford before they celebrate their first wedding anniversary!
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