Perth seminarian Patrick Toohey was fortunate enough to have a brief moment with Pope Francis on April 13.
The meeting happened at St Paul Outside the Walls Basilica in Rome.
Mr Toohey is studying at the Beda Pontifical College, a special late vocation seminary in Rome which is only 300 metres from the Basilica.
He is entering the second half of his priestly training in Rome.
Mr Toohey described the experience of meeting Pope Francis as overwhelming.
The Pope had come to claim the Basilica as is the Roman tradition for every new Pope ascending to the position.
It was hoped that Pope Francis would come to the Beda Pontifical College, considering he has chosen a quotation of the English Doctor of the Church, St Bede, as his motto.
The Pope was unable to do so due to security reasons but allowed the senior seminarians to serve on the altar as he celebrated Mass at St Paul Outside the Walls.
Mr Toohey and several other seminarians were able to meet the Pontiff individually after the Mass as the crowds yelled and yelled for Pope Francis to appear.
Mr Toohey believes the meeting with the Beda seminarians was Pope Francis’ first meeting of seminarians in the first few weeks of his pontificate.
Pope Francis has the gift of being fully present with each person whom he meets.
In the photo, Pope Francis is looking directly at Patrick with a warm, two-handed handshake and a steady, friendly smile.
He said to Patrick his famous phrase, “Pray for me”.
Patrick was so overjoyed at meeting Pope Francis, it took a number of hours for him to return to earth, as it were.
When he came down for the evening meal soon afterwards all he could do was just drink water, he was still so much in awe at the experience he had just had.
Patrick is a member of the Knights of the Southern Cross in Perth.