Brother Michael Perry works at Siena College and has known Pope Francis for over 10 years.

He travelled to Rome to attended Pope Francis’s funeral in Vatican City.

“It was deeply, deeply moving. It was really, I would call a human and a spiritual event,” said Perry.

Perry spoke with NewsChannel 13 on a zoom while he was in Italy. Perry called Pope Francis one of a kind.

“He was extremely intelligent. He really studied every situation. He tried to understand the pain that was going on in the hearts of all people,” Perry said.

Perry said the most emotional moment of the funeral was when they brought out Pope Francis’s casket.

“I think people felt deeply moved by the experience,” said Perry.

Brother Perry first met Pope Francis back in 2013 and developed a connection with him, constantly learning new things from him.