ROME — All it took was faith and a newspaper ad to get a local couple to travel 5,000 miles.

Marcia and Leroy Anderson of Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, saw an ad in the Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper and decided at the beginning of November to travel to Rome to see Archbishop Donald Wuerl be elevated to cardinal.

“We are of the same generation as the cardinal and we had admired all of the work he’s done in Pittsburgh,” Marcia Anderson said.

Wuerl was the bishop of Pittsburgh before becoming archbishop of Washington, D.C., in 2006.

The Andersons said they met Wuerl before. When they spoke to him, Wuerl knew they were from St. Peter’s church when they said they were from Slippery Rock.

“He probably knows every church in the diocese,” Marcia Anderson said.

The trip lasted from Nov. 15 to Nov. 23.

The couple traveled to Rome 15 years ago, but this gave them a chance to see a different side of the city.

The Andersons traveled with the Archdiocese of Washington, which they said provided the most convenient travel arrangements.

About 250 people from the archdiocese went on the pilgrimage.

These travelers had a choice of hotels, and the Andersons chose a hotel that was in the middle of the price range.

Marcia Anderson said one of the most exciting things about the trip was attending mass in different churches every day, including at the four major basilicas in Rome.

The couple also attended two papal audiences.

“He said a lot in Italian, and we didn’t understand,” Marcia Anderson said.

They were surprised when Wuerl said the closing Mass on Nov. 22, his first as a cardinal.

The couple said the itinerary was full and there was little free time.

“You really didn’t have much time to rest,” Marcia Anderson said.

Despite the spiritual flavor of the trip, the Andersons got a chance to do other things while they were in Rome, including shopping.

“I had to buy a pair of Italian shoes,” Marcia Anderson said.

They also walked around the city to get a look at the architecture and art, but that was hampered a little by rain.

“We were forewarned that November was their rainiest month,” Leroy Anderson said.

The couple also got to speak with Wuerl a few times.

“If there was any group activity, he really spoke to everyone,” Marcia Anderson said.

She said she thinks this shows his dedication.

“He’s a very gracious man and is certainly willing to give his time,” she said.