Minnesota church group among mourners in Vatican City for pope’s funeral [Video]

A church group from Little Canada will be present for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.

“It’s just a really beautiful and powerful time,” said Laura Haraldson, a mother from Maplewood leading a youth group on a pilgrimage through Rome.

“The Lord is the Lord of surprises, we believe in our faith, and we’re so grateful for this surprise that our great Pope Francis can enter his heavenly home and we can help to honor him in this way during this week,” Haraldson said.

The group will be among the more than 200,000 people expected at St. Peter’s Square Saturday morning, as the pope is laid to rest.

Haraldson said she feels a special connection to Pope Francis after an unexpected moment with him on a trip to Vatican City last year.

“I actually did have the opportunity …