The Way. The Truth. The Life.

My Grace-Filled Audience with Pope Leo XIV

^{Pictured above: Milanka Lachman kisses Pope Leo XIV’s hand during their private audience in St. Peter’s Square on December 10, 2025.}

Written by 206 Tours’ Founder & President, Milanka Lachman:

My meeting with Pope Leo XIV on December 10, 2025, was one of the most meaningful moments of my life.

I have been extraordinarily blessed to meet the previous three popes as well, though I was never truly “prepared” for any of those encounters. With Saint John Paul II and Pope Francis, the moment was brief—just a touch and a blessing—so little preparation was needed. With Pope Benedict XVI, however, I had the rare chance to speak with him directly. I had prepared a short speech, but no one hurried me along. When I finished my prepared remarks, I suddenly thought, “What do I say now to His Holiness?” and stood there momentarily at a loss. I vowed that would never happen again.

So, when the opportunity arose to meet the successor of St. Peter, Pope Leo XIV, I resolved to prepare properly. I compiled my own thoughts and also asked friends, fellow pilgrims, and priests for suggestions. The list grew long, so I decided to create something special: a hard-cover book dedicated exclusively to him. The cover featured a portrait of Pope Leo and one of his beautiful quotes on pilgrimage. Inside, I chronicled—through God’s grace—how 206 Tours came to be, its fruits, the many conversions and vocations it has fostered, and moving stories from pilgrims and priests. On page 3, I hand-wrote everything I hoped to tell him in person, as a safeguard in case nerves or time betrayed me.

The night before the audience, I reviewed all my notes and prayed that my words and gestures would convey the deepest respect. The next morning, my husband Charlie, our partners Javier and his wife Nuria, and I dressed in our finest clothes. With the special book tucked securely in my hand, we were driven to St. Peter’s. Security met us at the gate and escorted us through a private entrance to seats on the raised platform above the square.

It was a beautiful, sunny December day. Looking out, St. Peter’s Square appeared packed with tens of thousands of devoted Catholic pilgrims, joyfully awaiting the Pope’s arrival in the popemobile. Some prayed quietly, others sang; the atmosphere was electric. When the popemobile finally appeared, the crowd erupted, calling out his name with love. About 80 people from 206 Tours were scattered among the faithful, and I watched their faces light up—it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime grace to be in the presence of the Vicar of Christ. For me, that day held an even greater gift: the chance to speak with him directly.

When Pope Leo took his place on the stage, the cries of “We love you, Papa!” rang out more.

When my one-on-one moment arrived. I gripped Charlie’s hand tightly. Standing about 20 feet away, my heart began a strange, warm dance—racing from my throat to my stomach in a way I had never experienced. Time seemed to stretch. I squeezed Charlie’s hand harder and whispered, “I think I’m going to drop dead right in front of Pope Leo—it would be so embarrassing!” But I didn’t die or faint. I walked forward.

Pope Leo extended his right hand. I bent to kiss his Fisherman’s Ring, then stood and introduced myself. I expressed profound gratitude for all he is doing for the Church and assured him that I, the entire 206 Tours family, our priests, and pilgrims pray for him every day. I showed him the handwritten page in the book and shared several of the most important points. Then, inevitably, I froze  and forgot number of details that I was going to share, but at least they are written in the book.

Charlie stood faithfully beside me the entire time, graciously letting me do all the talking. Toward the end of our brief conversation, the topic somehow turned to baseball. Charlie chimed in with an enthusiastic “Let’s go Mets!” I thought it was a little silly in that sacred moment, but it brought a genuine smile to Pope Leo’s face.

I will not share the full content of our exchange just yet—what I told him or what he graciously said in return—but I can say this: he was warm, attentive, and deeply engaging. In his presence, I felt I was standing before the holiest man on earth.

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