The Pope's visit evoked memories.

My mother was Catholic and she baptized me.

In 1963 I visited the Vatican and bought a St. Christopher's medal for my mom.

I kept a diary and on 7/14/63 I wrote that I then "went to St. Peter's Square to get it blessed along with countless others. At precisely 12 noon the window opened and Pope Paul appeared dressed in an all white costume. He spoke Italian and Latin for about five minutes closing with the classic pose of spreading his arms and blessing me, the crowd and my medal. I got a chill from a very great experience."  See picture above.

When my grandson was baptized he was given the blessed medal.