Oldest pilgrim eager to see pope in New York

Virginia Cuomo was thrilled when she learned that her name had been chosen from among more than 3,000 entrants in a drawing to be part of the Albany diocesan delegation to see Pope Benedict XVI at Yankee Stadium on April 20.

At 92, she is the oldest member of the 500-member delegation, and she was excited for two reasons.

"The opportunity to see the Pope and pray with him is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she said. "I am also a really big Yankee fan, and I've never been to Yankee Stadium."

Senior member

Born in Manhattan, Mrs. Cuomo has lived most of her adult life in Catskill, where she is a parishioner of St. Patrick's Church.

She said it was an honor to be the senior-most member of the group. "This is a great opportunity to go for the old and the young," she said.

She will be accompanied by her daughter, Marie. "It will be great to share this with her," Mrs. Cuomo said.

Second pope

While the pilgrims will have to leave very early for the Mass at Yankee Stadium, Mrs. Cuomo is not concerned.

"I've been very healthy," she said.

In addition, the mother of seven and grandmother of nine is accustomed to traveling to see family members, who live around the country, including in Alaska, Florida and Tennessee.

Her journeys also brought her to Italy years ago, where she saw another pope: Pope Paul VI "at his summer home."

All sewed up

Mrs. Cuomo likes to keep busy. A professional seamstress, she enjoys making christening gowns and bridesmaids' dresses.

In the past, she made capes for nuns who taught at St. Patrick's School, the vestments for priests at St. Patrick's and the altar cloths for the church.

She also enjoys cooking. "Every Sunday, I cook for my family," she said. "I make braciole, ravioli, cannoli. They love it."

On the Sunday she sees the pope, however, they will have to fend for themselves.

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