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3 Franciscan Friars From Archbishop Curley To Attend Pope's Mass

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Tens of thousands will try and get a glimpse of Pope Francis during his trip to Washington, D.C. next week.

Jessica Kartalija with the story of the Franciscan friars here in Baltimore who will have the experience of a lifetime.

Pope Francis is known for his forward thinking faith, and who better to attend his mass than staff members for a Baltimore area high school.

At Archbishop Curley, Father Peter Tremblay has exciting news for his class.

"We're taking a trip to go see Pope Francis later this month," he said.

When Pope Francis makes his first visit to the U.S. next week, three Franciscan friars from Curley are headed to Washington.

"We're absolutely pumped. This is like a dream come true," said Friar Matthew Foley, director of campus ministry, Archbishop Curley.

The friars applied for tickets online, and now, their applications are approved.

"If ever I'd become starstruck or become overwhelmed by the experience of being with somebody who I have such a high regard for, Pope Francis is about as good as it gets," said Friar Peter Tremblay, Archbishop Curley.

For the friars, attending mass isn't just exciting--it's a teaching moment.

"Pope Francis is a very popular figure. He challenges each of us. He challenges us as religious, he challenges us as priests, he challenges us as Catholics. And that's really a good thing," said Friar Donald Grzymski, president, Archbishop Curley.

"For so long, we have worked to explain to the world what we believe and why we believe it. Now I think the time has come to not just challenge the ideas, but to challenge the attitudes," Friar Tremblay said.

As a gesture of goodwill, students are collecting shoes for the homeless.

Earlier this year, Curley students took a trip to Rome, but the pope was out of town. Now the friars have the opportunity to see the mass here at home.

"I think it's going to be one of the greatest energy boosts for the Catholic Church in America," said Friar Foley.

In addition to the three friars attending mass in D.C., students and staff from Curley are headed to Philadelphia to see the pope there, as well.

An estimated 25,000 people will attend the mass, which will be said in Spanish.

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