If It's Wednesday, it's the Papal Audience

Dr. C. and I had tickets to the papal audience today, and we got there around 8:30---this is the scene.  Due to security concerns, streets around St. Peter's were blocked off, our Uber driver did his level best to get us there as close as he could.  Not only are there people sitting in the chairs, but ringing the seating area, there were hundreds of people (without tickets) waiting for a glimpse of Papa Francesco.  At about 9 a.m. a cardinal started reading off the names of the pilgrims who were there, from each country in Italian, then came Cardinals who spoke in their native languages to welcome their pilgrims  Cheers rang out from each set of pilgrims as their affiliation was called out.  We had a group of teenagers from France next to us, and they did the wave when their school was called.  Also, we were amazed at the number of teens/college age kids here. 

No matter what your religious beliefs, hearing this holy man speak, watching him kiss babies, joking with the crowd, and appearing to have the time of his life, is something I wanted to experience.  Although we weren't close, I did get to see him (there are huge TV screens positioned all over the square so you can see him)

Although the audience doesn't start until 10 a.m., around 9:30 a roar goes up in the crowd, they have spotted il Papa, and are cheering him to come their way.  This is a man who loves a crowd, especially children; parents were handing their children up onto the Pope-mobile so that he could bless them, but he gave hugs and kisses as well. 

Once out of the Pope-mobile he strode to the covered area on the steps of St. Peter's.  From here he welcomed all the pilgrims, and then read his homily in Italian.  I was surprised how much I understood, but this Popes' message is simple:  Jesus/God loves you.  One quote that struck me, was:
Jesus was mercy incarnate.  Would that we would all walk like He did, helping the poor, feeding the hungry, and pardoning our enemies. 
Pope Francis has declared this as a Jubilee year of Mercy, opening the holy doors at St. Peter's and the 4 other major basilicas in Rome.  (St. John Lateran, St. Pauls' outside the walls, Santa Maria Maggiore)  Pilgrims are coming from around the world to walk through the holy doors to experience mercy.  To quote the Pope:  “the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.”
If you want to read the whole message click here 

 All in all a pretty awesome way to spend the morning.  When it was over, we sat in our chairs waiting for our several thousand friends to depart, thankful for this experience. 
Just FYI, security here in Rome is tighter than I've ever seen it, with machine gun armed guards stationed outside every major site along with police stopping scooters, and cars to check them, and thousands of other police, and Carabinieri checking everyone. 
If you are interested in attending an audience (about 2 hours) you can get tickets free of charge click here for instructions or click here to reserve through the Church of Santa Susanna.  Although the tickets are free, it is wise to bring a donation. 

Roman Holiday

      

Last weekend was my friend Char's last weekend in Italy, so we headed for Rome on Thursday and we had an incredibly full schedule.  Since she had never been to Italy, or Rome, there are a few things that you just have to see on that first trip:  St. Peter's, Vatican Museums, Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Eataly, and all the famous Piazzas like Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna and La Fonatana di Trevi.  If you are coming to Rome be aware that most of the Colosseum is enclosed in scaffolding, so that outside shot you want to get may not be possible, and the Trevi Fountain is closed for restoration.
We had a beautiful apartment on the front side of Campo dei Fiori, and across Corso Vittorio Emmanuel from Piazza Navona.  Our first afternoon/evening, we took a nice leisurely stroll to Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon, then headed to Pierluigi for dinner.  An institution in Rome, this is a beautiful place to dine, in a uncluttered piazza with a table on the street.

Our next day was a marathon, with a car and driver with tour guide to take us to all the famous squares, (mostly an orientation) for Char, and a bit of new information for me.  It was great, 3 hours, and we had seen most everything in il centro storico.

Pantheon

Piazza Navona

After seeing these beautiful piazzas, we headed to the Aventine Hill and the Jewish Quarter.

The Aventine Hill is where many embassies are located, as well as a beautiful public garden, and a Benedictine monastery. 

The Jewish Quarter is a vibrant part of Rome today; there are many restaurants in the area that specialize in Carcioffi alla Romana.  (Fried artichokes) 

We had the rest of the day till 5:45 when we were having a tour of St. Peter's and the Vatican museums, so we headed to Eataly for lunch.  Many people say, "don't' go there" but I have had good meals there and for tourists, it's a great place to buy souvenirs like a bag of sea salt from Sicily for E1.

Pacchiere con Guianciale e Pecorino

Pasta with Fresh Ricotta

We had a lovely lunch, then headed back to our apartment to get our long sleeves and pants on for St. Peters'.  They have gotten even more strict with the dress code, and since this was her only time to see it, I wanted to make sure we weren't turned away.  Our guide from The Roman Guy, Irene, was terrific, full of pride and love for the city she was born in and this tour was great---I do learn something new each time I go.  This was the first time I had been in the Sistine Chapel in 15 years where I wasn't chest to back with the people around me, it was magnificent.  After the tour, it was 10 p.m. and we were ready for bed, since we needed to be at the Colosseum for our tour at 9 a.m. the next day.  

 We saw this bride and groom as we were entering the Basilica

 I have about 40 photos before we got to the one below, there was lots of fussing with everything

At this point, the groom was done; it was about 85 degrees and they were hot, and tired, but gorgeous!

Next morning we were up bright and early to get our morning cup of cappucino and a cornetto. There are NO Starbucks in Italy; they have such a coffee culture here, that I am not sure that Starbucks would ever take off.  Italians have such a sense of community, and pride, that the bar is where they meet their friends before work, and after work.  The only time to get a coffee drink with milk is in the morning.  After noon, it's straight black coffee, or a macchiato which has a bit of milk added to the espresso.  

So we were off to the Colosseum for the tour which included the Dungeon.  We actually got stand on the arena floor.  This monument seems huge looking down from the top, but when you look from the floor up it's overwhelming.

After seeing the Palatine Hill, and the Forum we headed back to Campo dei Fiori for lunch at Dittirambo, which happened to be behind our apartment.  Then a small passegiata through Campo dei Fiori looking for fun souvenirs, and it was home to get ready to leave in the morning.  Arrivederci Roma.

Author's Note:  This was taken last year when I was here.  It is now covered with scaffolding, and the Fendi company is paying for the restoration.  For restoring the fountain they obtain the rights to use it in their advertising.  The same is true of the Colosseum--the Tods company is paying for that.