SoCal Catholics recall their unique encounters with Pope Francis
Manuel Deza considered himself one of the lucky ones.
His job included traveling the globe with Pope Francis and organizing events for the pontiff’s youth organization, Scholas Occurrentes.
Little did Deza know that when he introduced students to Pope Francis during a February general audience in Rome, it would be the last time he’d see the man he so admired.
Deza says the Holy Father didn’t seem well but continued to give everyone a kind word and a smile.