BUFFALO, N.Y (WKBW) — A group of Canisius High School students is back home after witnessing the final public mass of Pope Francis before his death on Monday.
The students, including Jack Shainbrown and Hudson Siddiqui, were on a school-led trip to Rome during Easter break.
On Easter Sunday, they gathered in St. Peter's Square along with thousands of others. Only a day later, Pope Francis died, turning that moment into a historical milestone.
"It was a very emotional thing for me," Siddiqui said. "I'm still thinking about what it means to me."
"It wasn't tourism, it wasn't sightseeing," Shainbrown said. "It was one major event where everyone took part."
Their teacher, Craig Hinchcliffe, said he's still processing the significance.
"It's slowly sinking in that I was able to receive his last blessing," Hinchcliffe said. "Really meant a lot to me to be able to be there."
The trip left an emotional impact on the students, many of whom say they now better understand the humility and legacy of Pope Francis.
