Pope Leo meets with Chicago students of viral 'mock conclave' from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It was an exciting day for students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood.

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On Wednesday, the children got to meet their hometown pope.

Video showed as Pope Leo XIV greeted the students, who were dressed in their costumes from the viral "mock conclave."

Auggie Wilk was chosen as the "pope" for the mock conclave held earlier this year.

Augie Wilk was chosen as the "pope" for the mock conclave held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy.

"I feel a bit awkward since I'm wearing the same exact thing as him," Wilk said. "It was exciting doing the normal conclave, but now this 10 times more exciting, walking into the actual real thing."

Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich was also at the meeting with the students.

The pope was seen talking to the students and shook their hands.

"I got to shake his hand along with a lot of other people, and it was like really exciting," student Catherine Esser said.

Wilk, a fifth-grader, took it a step further.

"I asked him if we could trade hats. And then he said, 'yes.' So I took off mine, and I gave it to him. And he took off his and gave it to me," Wilk said.

They met in St. Peter's Square, as Pope Leo addressed the general audience.

Video shows the group making their way through St. Peter's Square.

Pope Leo XIV is seen standing next to the students who were dressed in their conclave costumes.

"It's insane; I never imagined going St Peter's Basilica and meeting Pope Leo," fifth-grade student Alexander Boone said. "This is going to be a story for my kids, everybody. I'm going to tell everybody."

It was a pilgrimage that started with a class project.

Back in May, teachers crafted what they hoped would be a lasting lesson in faith, history and tradition.

"It's beautiful. It's a when you hope. It's a living experience of faith for them that's a look back someday, and this will be some important moment for them," said Dominic Moretti, with Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy.

The pope made sure the students didn't leave Vatican City without a special souvenir, giving each student a rosary with his crest.