LUBICA Jovanovic of Sydney felt so happy meeting Pope Benedict XVI face to face at a World Youth Day lunch she wanted to grab him and give him a big hug.
The 19 year-old youth minister got closer to Pope Benedict than most during World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne, Germany from August 16-21, when she, and 11 other youth representatives from across the world, joined him for lunch at the Archbishop of Cologne’s residence on August 19.
She also presented him with a toy koala and kangaroo.
Lubica, who converted to Catholicism four years ago, told Zenit news agency that she was so nervous at meeting the Holy Father, she began to cry as he entered the room.
“Tears rolled down my cheeks as I couldn’t believe it was happening to me,” she said.
“It was such an honour and I will always remember this day.”
Lubica said she found the conversation a bit difficult to follow during lunch as most people spoke in German, French or Spanish.
However, she said, Pope Benedict made a point of speaking to her, looking directly at her, engaging her in the conversation.
Lubica said it was hard to explain the vibe she got from Pope Benedict during lunch.
“I realised how engaging he is and how interested he is in every person from around the world,” she said.
“He is a gift.
“The atmosphere was so peaceful and I felt so good that I feel that I had a little nibble of paradise.”
Lubica said a lot of young people today looked for love through secular temptations such as sex, drugs and rock and roll, but Pope Benedict offered another way to love – the pure love of Christ.
She said she was looking forward to World Youth Day in Sydney and the chance for thousands more young Australians who missed out on the Cologne celebrations to experience the joy she felt.
