The number of seminarians at Philadelphia’s St. Charles Borromeo Seminary is on rise with 167 seminarians who are extraordinary young men that really reflect the rich diversity of the region. His Excellency Rector Bishop Timothy Senior believes this rise as the aftermath of Pope Francis’s visit who influenced the seminarians to find their vocation with joy.

As reported by Catholic News, His Grace Bishop Timothy remarked that “I really do believe it sort of freed them up to speak more openly about their desire to be priests because the Holy Father’s example has made the priesthood more attractive.”

There are 43 new seminarians at St. Charles Borromeo this year, 11 of whom are enrolled for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The enrollment is seminary’s largest since 2004.