11-05-2025
Pope chosen as NEPA natives' tour Italy
(WBRE/WYOU) — Dozens of local people experienced something that rarely ever happens, witnessing history with the selection of a new pope. 28/22 News met with some NEPA natives who were among those who got caught up in the excitement happening in Vatican City.
48 lucky people, most of them from NEPA, never could have imagined what they'd be in for when they first planned their trip to Rome.
The ones 28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape spoke with told him the announcement of Pope Leo the 14th's papacy is something they will never forget.
'We had no idea any of this would transpire,' TravelWorld Tour Escort Tom Harfman said.
Harfman has been to Rome more than two dozen times, but as well-traveled as he is, he never experienced Vatican City during the conclave, let alone for the naming of a new pope.
'To be there for such a historic event, it was just happenstance,' Harfman told 28/22 News.
The 48-person trip was planned last August to bring them to Italy for the first nine days of May.
The group was at the Vatican just hours before the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
They were at dinner just 10 minutes away when the news broke.
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'Everybody was just elated. We had no idea then it was even an American,' Harfman explained.
'Everybody was looking at each other like 'What?', They couldn't believe it, and everyone just started to cheer and clap, and you could just feel the energy around you,' TravelWorld Owner Matt Kizis said.
Harfman told 28/22 News the group included people from all different religions, faiths, and denominations, but that the announcement of Pope Leo the 14th's papacy brought out excitement from everyone who was there.
And when they found out he was an American, the excitement grew even more at the Italian restaurant.
'The staff, they were thrilled that it was an American, which was of interest to me. I would think they'd want another Italian,' Harfman stated.
And while the local travelers did not get to see the white smoke, just knowing they were there at such a historic time and so close to something as secretive as the conclave was enough.
'You read about this stuff, you learn about this stuff, but to actually witness it and be part of it? Is, um, is, uh, I mean it's- we were all lucky to be there,' Kizis said.
TravelWorld has a faith-based tour planned for this August with Bishop Joseph Bambera from the Diocese of Scranton.
The sold-out, 100-person trip will give the group a chance to experience a mass celebrated by Pope Leo the 14th.
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