THOUSANDS of people have come from all over the world with hopes to catch a glimpse of the Pope during World Youth Day, but few will be getting as close as two lucky Southern Highlands women.

Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets (YOTS) volunteers Helen Chadwick and Monica Howard have been invited to an exclusive ceremonial welcome of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, to be held at Government House tomorrow.

“I feel so humbled to have been invited,” Mrs Howard said.

“It is such a wonderful opportunity, I just wish everyone could go.”

Mrs Chadwick said she was equally shocked and honoured.

“It’s the Pope, a position that has been handed down by Jesus himself from St Peter through to Benedict XVI,” she said.

“I am thrilled to be able to be in his presence.”

Father Chris was invited due to his dedication and services to troubled young people and he chose 10 of his volunteers to accompany him.

Mrs Chadwick said she felt particularly blessed as she was about to become the second member of her family to meet a pope.

“When my brother was seven he was very sick in hospital and the prognosis wasn’t good,” she said.

“But the Pope visited the hospital, blessed the patients, and we believe this is what cured him.”

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, July 16

claire.mitchell@ruralpress.com