This was not a normal Sunday for churchgoers in Pleasant Grove. They learned that Friday, one of the foundation bricks for their new church, was blessed by Pope Leo XIV.
Father Paolo Capra’s risk paid off, as a last-minute change of plans led to this once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Pope Leo. In his hands was the first brick to be laid for a new church more than 6,000 miles away, now blessed by the Bishop of Rome and leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.
“I feel like it’s so incredible and amazing. When I saw it, I could not believe it,” said Isabella Ortiz, a churchgoer on Sunday morning.
Sunday, their congregation took it as a sign that their long-dreamed-of new home may soon become a reality.
“I can definitely see more people coming here to see this church,” said Ortiz.
St. Augustine in Pleasant Grove serves around 500 people in a low-income immigrant community.
“Pope Leo is like Pope Francis. He is very upfront in helping the poor and immigrants,” said Capra from St. Augustine’s Catholic Church.
They hope to break ground on a new church next year. Images on their website show their dream. A team from the church toured Greece and Turkey to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their seminary. While abroad, they heard Leo planned to travel to Istanbul.
“There were many beautiful surprises, step by step,” said Capra.
They changed plans and waited outside his location, hoping for this very moment, and on Friday, it all came together.
“This is for the good of the whole area of Pleasant Grove and the good of the faith and the life of the people there,” said Capra.
In an interview, Capra told us this year has been a trying time for their community, but this one moment inspired them to keep the faith that better and bigger days are to come.