ROME, Italy. - Pope Francis will be laid to rest this weekend, and a Worcester college student will be among the many in attendance. 

Maryja Prytko is a sophomore at Assumption University and is studying abroad in Rome this semester.

Prytko attended one of the pope's masses in February and saw him again Easter Sunday.

She said being in Rome during his passing has been a unique opportunity. 

"I’ve never been surrounded by such a community that's here for the same reason and going to the same place to pay their respects,” said Prytko. “It was truly incredible. And the amount of people that I’ve seen has increased by tenfold from February. And I was seeing more people holding rosaries, having praying cards, going to Saint Peter's more often."

Prytko will head back to Assumption May 12.

She said her time in Rome is an experience she will never forget.