FAITH IN THE FACE OF GRIEF. A LOCAL COUPLE IS HEADING TO ROME RIGHT NOW TO WITNESS THE FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS. IT’S BY CHANCE THAT THEY’RE ATTENDING THIS HISTORIC EVENT IN 2019. HALEY AND TONY GREECE DECIDED TO FLY TO ROME TO RECEIVE A NEWLYWED BLESSING FROM POPE FRANCIS. THERE’S NO HIGHER HONOR THAT WE COULD HAVE AS NEWLYWEDS, STARTING OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER TO HAVE THE SUPREME PONTIFF’S BLESSING ON OUR MARRIAGE. HALEY SAYS SHE COULDN’T BELIEVE THE POPE HELD THEIR HANDS ASKING FOR PRAYERS. IT’S VERY SURREAL TO HAVE THE HOLY FATHER ASK US, A NEWLYWED COUPLE FROM PITTSBURGH, TO PRAY FOR HIM. NOW, ANOTHER UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE. HALEY AND TONY WILL BE AT THE VATICAN TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS. THE PONTIFF PASSED AWAY ON MONDAY, JUST ONE DAY AFTER EASTER, BRINGING CATHOLICS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO THE VATICAN TO MOURN HIS DEATH. IT’S A FINAL GOODBYE TO SOMEBODY WHO TAUGHT US SO MUCH ABOUT HUMILITY, AND IT’S A LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT’S GOING TO BE HAPPENING WITH THE CHURCH NEXT. BUT ATTENDING THE FUNERAL WAS BY CHANCE. IN NOVEMBER, THE COUPLE PLANNED A TRIP TO ROME FOR A CANONIZATION. WE HAVE A REALLY STRONG DEVOTION TO BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS. HE IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST MILLENNIAL SAINT. HIS NICKNAME IS THE SAINT IN JEANS, AND WE BOTH JUST HAD HAVE A STRONG TIE TO HIM SO MUCH THAT WE NAMED OUR THIRD CHILD AFTER HIM. THAT CANONIZATION HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED, BUT THE COUPLE SAYS THEY BELIEVE THEIR PRESENCE IN ROME FOR THE FUNERAL IS NOT A MISTAKE. CLEARLY, OUR LORD WANTS US THERE FOR A REASON. I DON’T I DON’T KNOW WHY. IT’S JUST IT’S THERE HAS TO BE A REASON THAT THAT HE WANTS US THERE. AND WITNESSING THIS INSTEAD OF THE CANONIZATION. THE FUNERAL FOR POPE FRANCIS IS SATURDAY.
‘The Lord wants us there:’ Couple from Pittsburgh to attend funeral mass of Pope Francis
Updated: 10:54 PM EDT Apr 23, 2025
A local Pittsburgh couple is heading to Rome to witness the funeral of Pope Francis, an experience they describe as a chance encounter with history.In 2019, Hayley and Tony Grese flew to Rome as newlyweds to receive a special marriage blessing from Pope Francis.”There’s no higher honor that we could have as newlyweds starting our journey together than to have the supreme pontiff’s blessing on our marriage,” Tony Grese said.Hayley recalled the surreal moment when Pope Francis held their hands and asked for prayers.”It’s very surreal to have the Holy Father ask us, a newlywed couple from Pittsburgh, to pray for him,” she said.Now, the couple finds themselves back in the Vatican to attend the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. The pontiff passed away Monday, one day after Easter, bringing Catholics from around the world together to mourn his death.”It’s a final goodbye to somebody who taught us so much about humility, and it’s a look forward to what’s going to happen in the church next,” Tony said.The Greses’ return to Rome was not originally for the funeral. In November, they had planned to travel and attend the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a millennial nicknamed “the saint in jeans,” to whom the couple has a strong devotion. They even named their third child after him.”We have a really strong devotion to Blessed Carlo Acutis. He is going to be the first millennial saint. We named our third child after him,” Hayley said.While the canonization has been postponed, Hayley believes their presence in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral is no coincidence.”Clearly, our Lord wants us there for a reason. I don’t know why, but there has to be a reason. He wants us there, witnessing this instead of the canonization,” she said.The funeral for Pope Francis is set to take place Saturday at the Vatican.
A local Pittsburgh couple is heading to Rome to witness the funeral of Pope Francis, an experience they describe as a chance encounter with history.
In 2019, Hayley and Tony Grese flew to Rome as newlyweds to receive a special marriage blessing from Pope Francis.
“There’s no higher honor that we could have as newlyweds starting our journey together than to have the supreme pontiff’s blessing on our marriage,” Tony Grese said.
Hayley recalled the surreal moment when Pope Francis held their hands and asked for prayers.
“It’s very surreal to have the Holy Father ask us, a newlywed couple from Pittsburgh, to pray for him,” she said.
Now, the couple finds themselves back in the Vatican to attend the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. The pontiff passed away Monday, one day after Easter, bringing Catholics from around the world together to mourn his death.
“It’s a final goodbye to somebody who taught us so much about humility, and it’s a look forward to what’s going to happen in the church next,” Tony said.
The Greses’ return to Rome was not originally for the funeral.
In November, they had planned to travel and attend the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a millennial nicknamed “the saint in jeans,” to whom the couple has a strong devotion. They even named their third child after him.
“We have a really strong devotion to Blessed Carlo Acutis. He is going to be the first millennial saint. We named our third child after him,” Hayley said.
While the canonization has been postponed, Hayley believes their presence in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral is no coincidence.
“Clearly, our Lord wants us there for a reason. I don’t know why, but there has to be a reason. He wants us there, witnessing this instead of the canonization,” she said.
The funeral for Pope Francis is set to take place Saturday at the Vatican.
link