Many questions arise when people hear that Armando Cervantes recently had lunch with Pope Benedict XVI.
The answer to the most obvious question -- Did this really happen? -- is yes. Cervantes and 11 other young adults from across the globe met with the pontiff and Cardinal George Pell of Sydney during Benedict's visit last month to Australia. This wasn't a quick photo opportunity. They had a leisurely lunch and discussed their lives and their faith.
Cervantes, who directs youth and young adult ministry programs for the Diocese of Orange, says people often have another question: Did the pope impart some great message?
That question was harder to answer at first. But now, weeks after the event, the message has become clearer, though still subtle.
We'll get to the pope's grand message in a bit. (We'll also hold off explaining how the pope ended up with a Mickey Mouse hat.) First, we'll let Cervantes explain what happened during the intimate gathering with Benedict.
Cervantes, 27, lives in Brea, his hometown. He started his current job with the Diocese of Orange this year after working in the diocese as a volunteer. He attended his first World Youth Day, a gathering of young Catholics from across the world, in Rome in 2000.
The 23rd annual World Youth Day festivities were held July 12 to July 21 in various Australian cities. The theme of this year's event was taken from Acts 1:8 -- "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses."
Cervantes was already preparing to lead a delegation from the diocese when he came in contact with officials from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who asked if he might help out on a project while in Australia. Cervantes politely said he didn't think he could leave his other duties while at the event.
He later got another call from a conference official: Would he be willing to represent the United States at a lunch meeting with the pope? He laughs now about finding a way to work it into his schedule.
The lunch took place July 18 at Pell's residence in Sydney. Cervantes and the others were led into a room with a circular table. Place cards directed them where to sit. Security guards swept through the room, then the group was told to wait: The Holy Father would be with them shortly.
