Junior Jennifer (ox smells a fresh tulip during her free travel to Edinburgh, Scotland, April II, 2005. "We planned our free travel to be able to see the most countries in the least amount of time," Cox said. -(ourlesyofEmilyAnne Dumas Travelers attend pope's funeral in Rome People around the world said he offered his entire life to God and his people. President George W Bush called him ' a champion of freedom. Pope John Paul II, the leader of the Roman Camolic ChW"Ch for 26 years, died April 2, 2005, and the effects of his death were apparent all over the world, especially in Europe. Harding University students who studied abroad in Florence, Italy, during the spring 2005 semester had the opportunity to see many of the emotions and the impact the pope's death left in Italy. "I definitely have a deeper appreciation for Catholicism and rhe people who follow it," senior DavidAshley said. "Theywere so unified th rough the entire situarion." The popedied after suffering from heart and kidney problems and unstable blood pressure. Ashley and senior Emily Anne Dumas visited the Vatican City the day the pope died. "We took one ofour ~nals that morning and then hopped on a train," Dumas said. "I just thought it was such a monumental thing, and I really wanted to be a part of history." Dumas and Ashley said before the death was announced, St. Pecer's Square was fi lled with mourning people who were singing and praying, but as soon as the official Vadcan statement was given, the crowd erupted in applause. "I think it is a sign of respect," Ashley said. "They were clapping to show their appreciation for (he pope and all he had done." Dumas said that although they were nor Catholic and were outsiders in S1. Peter's Square, she did not feel any an imosity directed toward her. "We had some people ask us why, as members ofthe church ofChrist, we cared," Dumas said. "But overall, they just appreciated us showing honor and respect to their leader." Ashley did not return (0 the Vatican after the pope's death was announced, but Dumas returned and said she had mixed reactions. "I went back (he next day, the day they moved the pope from St. Peter's," Dumas said. "There was such a calming atmosphere in the square. The people were JUSt so unified; (the experience] was amazing." Senior Seth Massengill also attended HUF, but did not go to the Vatican with Dumas and Ashley. "You d idn't have to go to the actual Vatican co see how the people were feeling after the pope's death," Massengill said. "He was obvi– ously a great leader and made an impact on a lot of people." Massengill said he saw the effectS internation– ally when he went on his last free travel after the pope's death. "In every church I walked past, in every single country, chere was some type of memorial for him," Massengill said. "It was obvious he meant a lot to a lot of people allover the world." Ashley said he thought the experience was invaluable. "I jusr th ink it aU put a cap on the whole HUF experience," Ashley said. "We were exposed to Catholicism in a hands-on way, and it really put it into perspective how religio n can totally shape the world." ·Emily Burrows
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