A group of 52 students and alumni from Jesuit High School returned to Tampa Tuesday after celebrating World Youth Day with the Pope.
"It was just amazing," said Jesuit High junior Keegan Hart. "It was just an amazing experience."
The students spent two weeks in South America, where they first visited Jesuit mission sites in Brazil and Paraguay. But the highlight of their trip was heading to Rio de Janeiro to celebrate World Youth Day with Pope Francis.
The trip marked a special time for the Jesuit group because Pope Francis is the first Jesuit Pope.
"We would meet people from Argentina and they'd say you know he's from Argentina and we'd say he's a Jesuit. He's part of our family too," said Father Matt Gamber of Jesuit High.
On Friday, the group prayed the Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis at Copacabana Beach. They were excited when the Popemobile stopped near them.
"It was unbelievable," said Drew Obeck, a Jesuit High junior. "I mean as soon as he was coming down the road towards you, the crowd started going nuts and you could feel his presence."
Over the weekend, the students slept on Copacabana Beach to get a good spot for Sunday Mass. They were among three million attending the emotional and heart-felt ceremonies.
"My spirituality has definitely been deepened," said Jesuit High sophomore Nick Messina. "Sometimes you feel alone in your faith, but now it's opened my eyes to realize how universal the church is."
Back in Tampa, the students say it was a pilgrimage of faith - a trip of a lifetime that they'll never forget.