More News

Morning Mass at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Rockville on March 3 drew a standing-room-only crowd as parishioners turned out to see the papal ambassador to the United States celebrate the service in a rare visit to an archdiocesan parish.

Archbishop Pietro Sambi was appointed to the position of papal nuncio to the United States by Pope Benedict XVI on Dec. 17, 2005. He serves as a diplomatic representative from the Vatican and previously served as nuncio in Burundi, Indonesia, Israel and Cyprus.

He is the highest-ranking Catholic Church official to ever visit St. Elizabeth's, something Vincent Spadoni, principal of St. Elizabeth School, called "a historic moment."

During his homily, or sermon, the archbishop spoke directly to the children, whom he affectionately described as "525 flowers." He ended Mass by giving the pope's blessing, or Hand of Benediction.

"He brings such a positive message," Spadoni said. "He brings the love and concern of the Holy Father to the United States."

Spadoni, who met the archbishop years earlier at the National Shrine, was impressed by the papal nuncio's character.

"He's a warm, humble and sincere man that likes to be with people," he said.

Sambi, 71, a native of Italy, was ordained a priest in 1964, according to the Web site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Last November, Spadoni and St. Elizabeth's pastor, Monsignor John F. Macfarlane, wrote a letter to the archbishop, asking him to speak to St. Elizabeth students and parishioners.

"We wanted him to talk about their relationship to the Holy Father and bring a message to the kids about hope," Spadoni said.

The archbishop answered their letter within a week, asking for a schedule of open times.

"We were surprised to receive a response so quickly," Spadoni said.

In preparation of Sambi's visit, St. Elizabeth students practiced musical numbers and prayer petitions for the Mass. Students were also educated on the role of a papal nuncio and his duties.

"The students were so impressed," Spadoni said. "In fact, when they saw him in the back [of the church], they were in awe."

After Mass, the archbishop greeted and thanked St. Elizabeth parishioners and posed for photographs with students and staff before leaving.

Spadoni said students will compose thank-you cards to be delivered to the archbishop at the Nunciature of the Holy See in Washington, D.C., considered the embassy of the Roman Catholic Church.