Arizona sisters’ Vatican City trip coincides with election of pope
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Two tourists who grew up in Arizona are getting an unexpected look at history in Rome.
Mary Kumble and Stephanie Brugger booked tickets to visit the Vatican months ago. Their visit to Vatican City just happened to coincide with the first day of the conclave to elect a new pope. “Just watching the energy and the preparations is pretty surreal,” said Kumble, who grew up in Arizona and now lives in Los Angeles.
Both Kumble and Brugger attended Catholic school in Phoenix at Xavier College Preparatory. Brugger is now a world history and geography teacher at Xavier.
“I didn’t think it could get any better, just coming to visit Rome and seeing the history that I’m teaching – but to be living it,” said Brugger. “We’ll remember it for the rest of our lives.”
The sisters walked through St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. The only area on their list that was closed was the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals are sequestered. “It’s really amazing to see so many groups who are making their pilgrimage to the Vatican and to St. Peter’s Basilica,” Brugger said. “Just coming together in faith and the amazing kind of unity.”
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