WASHINGTON – The faithful waited anxiously for tickets outside of Nationals Stadium to see Pope Benedict XVI some were lucky enough to be given a ticket from a stranger.

“They just handed the tickets to us and told us to go split up amongst our group. They gave us about six tickets,” said one lucky crowd member.

Catholics from all over the world travel to the nation’s capital at the hope of seeing the pope.

While over 40,000 people gathered to get a glimpse of the man at home plate; across town others prepared to meet with the Holy Father on a more personal level.

“Much to my surprise I was in a fourth row seat and two seats away from where the Pope entered and exited”, said Loras College President Jim Collins.

President Collins was one of the 200 Catholic educators invited to meet with the Pope. Pope Benedict’s message at the event was one of gratitude.

“There has never been a more difficult time then now to be a college leader, the pope told us that he recognizes what we do and he empowers us and supports us,” added Collins reflecting on his D.C. trip.

For President Collins this message was a lasting one that he brought back to Loras and Dubuque.

“Keeping the faith and knowing that you have my support, know what you are doing is important, and know that it will make a difference,” said Collins about the impact of the Pope’s message.

Whether you were a Catholic waiting to see the pope or a president of an Iowa College, seeing the Pope during his first visit to the U.S makes an impact.

“It is kind of just dawning on me how amazing it is as a Catholic, but even more amazing how intimate the opportunity it was that I had and how unlikely it is that I would ever have such an opportunity like that, and how very few people ever have such an opportunity,” reflected Presidents Collins.

An opportunity that will last a lifetime for President Collins and all of the other Catholic faithful that saw Pope Benedict’s first visit to the United States.

Lauren Squires can be reached at Lauren.Squires@lctv13.com