An associate of Jefferson Lab was honored by Pope John Paul II earlier this year.

Carlos Ordonez, director of the World Laboratory Center for Pan-American Collaboration in Science & Technology, was among 30 international scientists representing the World Federation of Science visiting Italy this spring.

Part of the group's visit included an invitation to Vatican City to meet with the pope. The event commemorated the 20th anniversary of the beginning of dialogue between the World Federation of Science and the pope on issues related to science and religion. Ordonez represented the University of Houston.

As part of their trip, the group met with the president of Italy as well as that nation's minister of foreign relations. They attended two ceremonies just outside of Rome - one was to recognize high school students involved in a project revolving around planetary emergencies - identifying new and current problems, raising consciousness of these issues, and proposing solutions.

Lab associate, Carlos Ordonez shakes hands with Pope John Paul II during a ceremony commemorating 20 years of dialogue between the pontiff and the World Federation of Science. World Federation of Science President Antonino Zichichi (behind the pope) introduces the pontiff to Ordonez.

"It was a fantastic trip. We were treated like royalty. We visited several palaces and ate at great restaurants," Ordonez recalls. But the highlight of his trip was the group's private audience with the pontiff. "The whole ceremony was very special," Ordonez said. "We were met by the Swiss Guard and escorted to the pope's private quarters. We passed by the most amazing frescos." The physicist described ascending the stairway leading to the pope's quarters as "like going to heaven."

"We were seated in a small private meeting room," Ordonez continued, recalling the meeting, "There was this incredible sense of suspense."

The group stood when Pope John Paul II entered the room. Antonino Zichichi, president of the World Federation of Science, addressed the pope and gave a speech which was followed by the pope's speech. "Then to our surprise we were each presented with a medal," Ordonez said. "We weren't expecting the medals. Professor Zichichi introduced each of us to the pope and we got to share a few words with him. It was an inspiring and humbling experience."

Ordonez, an assistant professor of physics at the University of Houston, is grateful to SURA, Jefferson Lab, and JLab's Senior Physicist Nathan Isgur, for the support the Lab has given him. "I'm most thankful for the research and professional collaborations made available to me through Jefferson Lab. In a very real sense this medal acknowledges the importance of my professional association with the Lab, which I hope will continue for many years."

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