After visiting Italy in summer 2024, William deGuzman decided to take his studies abroad this spring and live in Rome for a semester with ambitions of embracing the vibrant culture, deepening his faith and meeting Pope Francis.
“I’ve been discerning priesthood for a while now, and being here at the heart of the Catholic Church has been incredibly powerful,” the sophomore finance major explains. “There’s something about walking past churches older than the U.S., praying where saints once prayed, that really puts things into perspective.”
He had never imagined the experience would also include mourning the pontiff who he held in such high regard.
In a conversation with Marquette Today, deGuzman spoke about his time in Rome, meeting the pope in-person and the Holy Father’s recent death.
How long have you been in Rome and what made you want to study abroad?
I’ve been in Rome since Jan. 14, and it’s been such a gift to be here. During my first visit to the city last year, I remember standing in the Sistine Chapel with my family and thinking I needed to come back. I came here hoping to grow, to be challenged and to see the world and my faith in a new way. I feel really blessed to be able to call Rome home for a little while.
Did you attend Easter services at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday? What was the pope’s message and how did he look?
I was able to attend with a few friends, and it was one of the most moving experiences I’ve had while in Rome. Being in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday felt surreal. When Pope Francis came out, he looked really frail and sick. You could tell he was struggling physically. But at the same time, there was this joy in his eyes. It was like, even in his weakness, he was so happy just to be there with us.
He only said two words: “Buona Pasqua,” which means “Happy Easter.” It felt like he was giving everything he had just to say those words. Honestly, I couldn’t help but think that the Lord gave him just enough strength to offer one last Easter blessing to the world before calling him home.
Knowing you just saw the pontiff the day before on Easter Sunday, what were your initial feelings when you first heard of his passing?
Honestly, I was stunned. Just the day before, I had seen him in St. Peter’s Square. He looked weak, but still present, still smiling, still full of love for the people. So, hearing that he had passed felt unreal. It’s a strange mix of grief and gratitude. He gave everything he had, even to the very end, and I feel so blessed to have witnessed a small part of that.
What has it been like being in Rome during this event? What’s the mood of the people in the city?
It’s been really moving to be here. There’s definitely a sense of grief in the air. But at the same time, there’s this deep joy too. I think that’s what’s so powerful about our faith. We grieve, but we grieve with hope. We know that death isn’t the end.
Rome was already packed with people for Easter and the Jubilee, so there was this real energy in the city. But once the news broke, everything shifted. The crowds stayed and more people kept coming. Now, with the cardinals arriving and media from all over the world setting up, it feels like something historic is unfolding. It’s surreal to be here as the Church prepares for a conclave. I’m witnessing history in real time.
Was Sunday the first time you’d seen the pope in person? If not, tell me about the first time you met Pope Francis and what that experience was like?
Sunday wasn’t the first time I saw him in person. I actually had the incredible honor of meeting Pope Francis back in January, before he got sick. I’m currently an intern with the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, and every year, members of the network are invited to a private audience with him. Since I happened to be studying abroad in Rome at just the right time, I had the incredible opportunity to join, thanks to my boss, Father Joe Laramie, S.J.
The meeting took place in the Vatican in one of the private audience halls. Pope Francis entered the room in a wheelchair, clearly in some physical discomfort, but as soon as he began to speak, his face lit up with a genuine smile. His words were full of warmth, encouragement and gratitude. He thanked us all for helping people pray and for spreading the Gospel.
After Pope Francis finished speaking to our group, he stayed behind to greet each of us personally, one by one. You could see he was tired, but he still took his time with every person. When it was my turn, my heart was pounding. I stepped forward and said, “Hello, Holy Father, it is an honor to meet you.” He smiled, and there was a quiet warmth in his eyes that immediately put me at ease. I handed him the white zucchetto I had brought with me. He received it gently, placed it on his head for a moment and then handed it back. I shook his hand and told him I’d be praying for him. He nodded and smiled again. It was a simple moment, but it meant the world to me. As someone discerning priesthood, standing before Pope Francis and feeling that kind of spiritual fatherhood was deeply affirming. The encounter gave me a sense of peace I hadn’t expected. I walked away not just with a zucchetto, but with a renewed sense of purpose, like God was quietly saying, “Keep going.”
What’s your biggest take away from the life of Pope Francis? Was there something about the way he lived that continues to inspire you?
What stood out most to me was his deep, genuine joy. A joy that flowed from his relationship with Christ and his desire to help others encounter that same love. He wasn’t afraid to smile, laugh or even crack a joke. That kind of joy was contagious. It made holiness feel approachable, like something you could live out in the ordinary moments of daily life, not just some far-off, perfect ideal.
