Pope Meets Knights a Second Time During Pilgrimage

Asks Knights to keep him in their prayers

After receiving Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and the K of C leadership in an audience in the Clementine Hall on Monday, Feb. 10, Pope Francis again met the Knights’ officers and directors and their families on Wednesday, Feb. 12.  This second visit was not on the official pilgrimage schedule and took place in the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace following a Mass celebrated by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori.

The Holy Father prayed an Our Father and Hail Mary with the K of C delegation and promised to pray for the Knights — asking the Knights to pray for him as well. “Pray for me,” the pope said, adding with a smile, “This job is not easy.”

The meetings with the pope left a profound impression on those in attendance.

“It was a great honor for our delegation to meet with the Pope not just once, but twice,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “We are touched by the fact that Pope Francis took so much time with us, and we remain inspired by his words and grateful for his prayers. I ask all brother Knights and their families to take seriously the Holy Father’s request and commit to praying for him each day.”

Prior to entering the chapel to address the group, the Holy Father met briefly with the supreme knight and Archbishop Lori. The supreme chaplain presented the Holy Father with the Italian edition of the book Parish Priest — the biography of the Knights of Columbus’ founder Fr. Michael McGivney, which is published by the Vatican Publishing House.

The Knights of Columbus board of directors was on pilgrimage in Rome during the past week to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Order’s permanent establishment in the Eternal City at the request of Pope Benedict XV in 1920. Since that time the Knights of Columbus has engaged in charitable, cultural, and evangelization projects, including sponsoring numerous conferences, and restoration and communication programs for the Vatican.”