East Harlem School Reflects on Pope Francis' Lasting Impact from 2015 Visit

Lasting Spirit of Pope Francis

• 🕊️ The spirit of Pope Francis remains alive at Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem, years after his 2015 visit.
• 🎯 The Pope specifically requested to meet with young children at this inner-city Catholic school, which serves many immigrant children.

Cherished Memories of the Visit

• ✨ The visit is a significant event in the school's history, remembered for the joy and presence felt by students, families, and visitors.
• 🧒 Aaron Diaz, who was 7 at the time, recalls Pope Francis radiating kindness and happiness, describing the encounter as meeting a best friend.
• 📜 Reminders of the historic day include a statue of Our Lady Queen of Angels gifted by the Pope and a scrapbook kept by the principal.

Pope's Legacy of Hope and Service

• 🌟 The principal stated that Pope Francis left behind hope, embodied by a new generation of students carrying on his legacy of kindness and service.
• 💖 This hope is also seen in a fifth-grader named after the Pope, born the year of his visit, and in the school's continued service to urban and immigrant families.
• 📍 The school remains a place that deeply serves the children of hardworking families, reflecting Pope Francis' care for them.