Our Lady Queen of Angels

"Today we want to keep dreaming. We celebrate all the opportunities which enable you, and us adults too, not to lose the hope of a better world with greater possibilities."

- Pope Francis to the Children of Our Lady Queen of Angels

On Friday afternoon, September 25, 2015, Pope Francis visited Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem. He met with principals and students from OLQA, St. Paul, St. Charles Borromeo, and St. Ann as well as 150 immigrants and refugees assisted by Catholic Charities.

During the prayer service with immigrants and refugess, the gospel of Matthew was said in English, Spanish, Creole, Chinese, Arabic, Wolof, and French. The service was closed with The Lord's Prayer and a blessing by the pontiff. 

When he visited the classrooms at Our Lady Queen of Angels, Pope Francis learned how to use a smartboard and what the daily activities and lessons are for children at the school. He requested and encouraged the children to do a few things as "homework":
 

• To keep smiling and spreading joy
• To never give up on their dreams
• To pray for him

Pope Francis was then presented with a Spiritual Bouquet, a collection of prayers accompanied by photographs of students and student drawings, bound in a hard cover book.