By David Dziena

Close enough to touch the pope; but I didn't

After experiencing two World Youth Days with Pope John Paul II, I felt sure no other event could generate that kind of electric atmosphere. But when I saw Pope Benedict XVI -- close enough where I could have touched him -- I came to a new understanding: What you experience when you see the pope isn't only because of the person. It's because of what and who the person represents.

It's about truly experiencing what it means to be a part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, with the visible head of that Church in our midst. I am glad I was reminded of that.

I had the awesome privilege of seeing Pope Benedict three times in New York -- at St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Joseph's Seminary and Yankee Stadium. Two of the three times, he was within arm's length. But because of the tremendous security surrounding him, I did not feel free to reach out and touch him.

I'm grateful that all of the security personnel kept our Holy Father safe, but it was a sad realization that there is such a need to have this protection for him. Think how different the Gospel accounts would have been if Jesus or St. Peter required such high-level security. Verses such as "I knew if I only could touch his garment" or "let the little children come to me" may never have been written.

Despite the security cordon, though, there was no mistaking Pope Benedict's quiet, profound presence. I'll never forget the experience.

-- David Dziena