Kirkpatrick was part of the delegation of Canadian bishops making their ad limina visit to Rome in late April, which included a meeting with Pope Francis.

He asked the pontiff if he could bring home a gift for the school that bears his name in the York Region Catholic District School Board. The Pope arranged for a gift pack that the bishop could take back to the school.

“Our entire school community was so happy and delighted because we take the fact that we are members of a school named Pope Francis very seriously,” said principal Anthony Anthony Arcadi. “The fact that Pope Francis acknowledged us in this small way means a lot to us.”

The items, below, included the Pope’s very own zucchetto, the white skull cap he wears. In addition, there were medallions of St. Francis and a rosary, all blessed by Pope Francis. Pope Francis School was officially opened and blessed by Kirkpatrick on April 19, 2017.

Photo courtesy of Anthony Arcadi, YCDSB