January 31, 2014
Hats off to Joseph Day ’15
(during a papal audience in September. Photo by Catholic News Service)
Joseph Day ’15 (Rehoboth, Mass.), who studied in the Providence College in Rome program last semester, handed a zucchetto, or white skull cap, to Pope Francis during the pope’s weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square in September.
Inside was a note reading “Providence College loves Papa Francesco,” signed with the names of PC students. The pope read the note, said “Providence College,” put the cap on his head, closed his eyes, said a prayer, and gave the cap back to Day.
The zucchetto exchange is a papal tradition.
“Words cannot describe what it was like to be so close to the successor of St. Peter, to touch his hand, to have him speak to me, to have him take and wear that zucchetto for a moment before returning it as a gift, blessed for us,” said Day. “My hands didn’t stop shaking for joy!”
The photograph appeared in newspapers around the world.
Joseph Day ’15 takes part in a tradition by handing a zucchetto to Pope Francis during a papal audience in September.
