Walsh Student: Seeing Pope's Retirement Was 'Surreal'

Walsh University students and staff had a front row to history as Benedict XVI officially retired as Pope Thursday.

For Maggie Carlson, a senior museum studies major at Walsh University, it was surreal experience.

"I’m so happy we had this opportunity, not only to come to Rome, but to come at such an historic time," Carlson said in an email to North Canton Patch.

The Pope Emeritus' resignation took effect about 2 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. This leaves the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church vacant while its leading clerics consider who should succeed him, reported the New York Times.

According to the Times: Benedict left the Vatican by helicopter on Thursday afternoon to spend the final hours of his scandal-dogged papacy and the first of his retirement at a summer residence (in Castel Gandolfo) used by popes for centuries. 

Carlson was joined Thursday by a group of Walsh global learning students who are studying in Italy at the university's campus in Castel Gandolfo.

She further describes the experience below in a Patch Q&A.

North Canton Patch: Did you ever think you'd have this opportunity?

Maggie Carlson: No. It was such a surreal day. I’m so happy we had this opportunity, not only to come to Rome, but to come at such an historic time. I feel so blessed.

North Canton Patch: What was it like to see something so momentous happen right before their eyes?

Carlson: It was extremely emotional for me. It didn’t seem real to me until I finally saw him. It was very overwhelming.

North Canton Patch: What were some highlights of what you saw today? Any moments in particular that stick out?

Carlson: It was such a great day. We had so much fun waiting for the Pope and being interviewed by so many different reporters from different countries. There were times during the day when we chanted “Benedetto!” and people around us would chant it with us. That was a very cool moment.

North Canton Patch: What's it like to share your experiences with big media like MSNBC, BBC, ABC?

Carlson: It was so crazy. I never expected to be interviewed so many times. It felt so great to represent our school at such an historic moment.

North Canton Patch: Any plans for when the new Pope is announced?

Carlson: I hope we will be able to be there for the announcement. It would be so amazing to be able to witness the end of one pope’s reign and the beginning of the next.

Did you see Friday's Q&A with Michael Cinson, director of student life at Walsh University's Rome campus? North Canton Patch will publish one last Q&A Sunday, this time with museum studies major Allison Cadle.