By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Coral Gables Commissioner Ariel Fernandez and his family were in Rome on August 26, where they were granted an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The lifelong Catholic described the meeting as “very spiritual” and “transformative,” calling it a once-in-a-lifetime moment for him and his family.

“We were invited into Clementine Hall at the Vatican along with a group of folks,” Fernandez told the Gazette. “The Pope walked in and spoke to the group and then greeted us individually.”

His son, Stephen, presented the Pope with “Louie,” the mascot of St. Theresa Catholic School in Coral Gables. Fernandez and his wife, Monica, presented the Pontiff with a cross inscribed with the logos of schools, parishes and religious movements connected to their family’s faith.

“We asked His Holiness to bless these organizations and all their members, along with all our family and friends, which the Pope was gracious to bestow his blessing upon,” Fernandez said.

A long-desired audience

Fernandez emphasized the rarity of the moment. “Not every Catholic has the opportunity to meet the Pope in their lifetime,” he said. “It was a special moment as a family – a once in a lifetime experience. Definitely transformative.”

The commissioner recalled planning to meet Pope John Paul II in 2005 before the pontiff’s death. He said he also had been in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI, including at a welcoming ceremony at the White House. The opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, carried special significance for him.

“This was a family moment as much as a spiritual one,” Fernandez said. “We wanted to show the Pope the communities that shaped us, and to ask his blessing for all of them.”

Absence from the dais

The trip meant Fernandez missed his second consecutive commission meeting. He said he was excused from the August 26 session, just as he had been excused from the July meeting due to a medical issue. Fernandez said attending the meeting virtually was impossible due to the time difference and spotty Wi-Fi in Rome.

A season of controversy

The August 26 absence was his second consecutive missed meeting. Fernandez is already under scrutiny as colleagues voted in July to open an investigation into his alleged ties to political surveys conducted last year. He was absent from that meeting as well.

Missing two meetings in a row has only fueled discussion. For Fernandez, however, the choice to prioritize an audience with the Pope was not difficult. Fernandez said the chance to meet the Pope outweighed concerns about missing the meeting.

Looking ahead to September 10

Whether Fernandez will return to his seat at the next meeting remains uncertain. He told the Gazette he has been summoned for jury duty the week of September 10, raising the possibility of a third absence.

“I hope to be there – I’m hoping I don’t get picked,” he said.

The September 10 agenda includes key discussions on the city’s millage rate, a Planning and Zoning Board appointment and new rules for board governance and public participation. His attendance could prove important as the commission considers those measures.

A balance of faith and duty

For Fernandez, the trip to Rome underscored his personal devotion and the role of faith in his public life. He said the Pope’s blessing reinvigorated his commitment to “building a civilization of love,” a phrase he used to describe his broader goals.

For Coral Gables residents, the episode highlights the balance between personal milestones and public responsibility. Commissioners, like the citizens they represent, navigate health, family, and faith alongside the obligations of elected office.

Fernandez said he hopes to attend the September 10 meeting, though jury duty could prevent him from being present. For now, the commissioner insists that his time in Rome with Pope Leo XIV was unforgettable.

“It was very special – very spiritual,” he said. “Definitely transformative.”