In front of the Grand Ducal Palace, this family from Dudelange impatiently waits to meet the Pope. Marwin, 12, doesn’t know it yet, but he’s going to have the best day of his life.
They have been on the bridge since seven o’clock in the morning: Marylène, Adrien, Marwin and Nathalie are among the first spectators present in front of the grand ducal palace to try to see the pope. The little family from Dudelange has everything planned: umbrellas, change of clothes, visit program saved on the phone… No question of missing a single thing. “This is an opportunity not to be missed, a real chance to see the Pope in Luxembourg. It’s a very, very special day,” enthuses the eldest of the siblings, Adrien, a few minutes before the arrival of the sovereign pontiff. It must be said that the young man has been passionate about it since childhood. Altar boy, member of the choir and the reading club of the parish of Dudelange, he wears many hats and brought his younger brother, Marwin, in his wake.
At only 12 years old, the young man seems to have found his way, thanks to religion. Suffering from an intractable autoimmune disease, it was during a trip to the sanctuary of Padre Pio in Italy that something clicked. “He hasn’t been the same since,” says his mother, Marylène, moved. “He changed completely, this trip really did him good,” she confides. So much so that the teenager dreams of becoming a monk, and regularly goes to the convent, to pursue this path.
When the papal convoy arrives in front of the grand ducal palace, the first stop of the Holy Father’s marathon day, Marwin and his family cannot contain their excitement. “The heart beats fast there,” admits Marylène, while Adrien films wildly on his smartphone, waving wildly at the grand ducal couple. “I don’t believe it, we saw it,” added the 25-year-old after the Holy Father entered the Grand Duke’s residence.
After these first emotions, it’s time to wait. While Pope Francis meets the entire Grand Ducal family and speaks with the Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, the entire little Dudelange family watches the live video from our RTL colleagues, so as not to miss anything and to be ready at the time of the exit of the pope.
An autograph and two gifts
Emotions already strong, which will be heightened tenfold, shortly before noon. While downpours fell on the hundred faithful and onlookers gathered on Rue de la Reine, Pope Francis left the palace aboard his Fiat 500 L, to go to the Cercle Cité, the second stage of his journey. With the window down, he greets the crowd, to the sound of “Papa Francesco” resounding throughout the square. And to everyone’s surprise, he stops his car right in front of Marwin, to whom he signals to come and join him.
Very quickly, the security agents grabbed the young man to take him over the security barriers and bring him to the sovereign. A waking dream for the teenager, who, trembling, exchanges a few words with his idol. It is with stars in his eyes and a personal gift from the Pope (a black rosary) that Marwin returns, a few minutes later, to his family. “Are you happy?” his mother asks, delighted. “He said he loved me, blessed me and I made him a heart with my hands,” says the young Dudelange resident, very moved.
But the story doesn’t end there. Marwin and Marylène are indeed among some 650 lucky people to attend the ceremony which takes place at Notre-Dame Cathedral. A godsend which will lead the teenager, once again, to the side of the sovereign pontiff. “We were in the tent that was set up in the courtyard of the cathedral, and the Pope came to greet us,” says the 46-year-old mother. “Marwin was able to get him to sign an autograph and received a rosary and candy as a gift. I can say it: my son had the best day of his life!” she exclaims. Luck, or Providence? Only God knows. One thing is certain: Marwin will remember this September 26, 2024 for a long time.
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