Loyola students return from Pope Francis trip

Eighteen sophomores and juniors from Loyola High School of Los Angeles travelled to Philadelphia to greet Pope Francis as part of 2 Philly 4 Francis: Ignatian Pilgrims on the Journey. St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, a Jesuit high school in Philadelphia, organized the event, which lasted from Sept. 24 to Sept. 28.

Students attended the Holy Father’s address at the World Meeting of Families 2015 and the closing Mass held outside the Philadelphia Art Museum. Other participating students came from 40 Jesuit high schools across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

The student pilgrims gathered together at St. Joseph’s Preparatory to learn about, reflect on and celebrate the Jesuit and Catholic identity during the historic visit of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope.

Dan Annarelli, dean of men, led the Loyola High School trip, inviting the students to his parents’ home for dinner before taking them on a tour of historic Philadelphia.