On Wednesday, Michelle had gotten tickets (free) online for admission to St. Peter’s Square for the 10 “audience” of thousands! to see the Pope Francis. I thought it would be inside the church with a seat but NOT! We left around 7:30 a.m. and took the Metro to the nearest stop. People were streaming down the road towards VC. We followed the crowd.
After long lines and waiting, we were finally let in and found a place to stand up against a railing near one of the passageways. It turned out when the Pope appeared, he was in a vehicle and they drove him up and around these passageways so the crowds could see him. And he stopped to bless and kiss babies. So we got a few pretty close shots as he went by.
The rest of the time, he was up on the steps of St. Peter’s under a canopy with people seated on either side of the cardinals. I’m sure they had special invitations from someone connected. There were also maybe a dozen brides and grooms who headed up front. I imagine they would get some kind special blessing for their marriage at some point during the morning.
Many groups were seated in the center. They were later announced as pilgrims from particular places all over the world. They would cheer when their group was called. The Swiss guards in their colorful uniforms were around and many other police, keeping people from standing on the seats and poking out selfie sticks when the Pope drove by. We spent close to two hours standing/leaning during this audience.
Things were repeated in several languages each time something was said. The Pope gives a weekly address that he read I think in Italian. He then sat down and several church officials repeated his message in French, German, English, Spanish, maybe Portuguese - those were the languages I recognized. Poor Michelle couldn’t even move an arm in the spot she was in. I was in kind of a corner a few people ahead of her and had a V of railing in front to lean against. Fortunately I had brought my hat which gave me some protection from the sun. And because it is only May there was some breeze! I can’t imagine doing this in July!!
When this was over, we followed more crowds to the entrance to climb the Dome. We paid the extra E8 to ride the elevator partway up. Then we had a 323 step climb between the inner and outer dome to the very top with amazing views! Seeing the semi-circle of Bernini’s pillars around St. Peter’s Square (not a square) from the top was amazing! I remember doing this in 1992 with Kerry, Geoffrey and Doug. I remember we had to carry a dress for Kerry to wear in the Vatican. Good times!
After descending from the dome (I sent a postcard with a Vatican stamp from the top), we headed into St. Peter’s. It was mobbed with tourists! In the center was a roped off area where groups of pilgrims from various parts of the world gathered and made their offering. I saw one group led by a huge cross presenting it to some official. There was some kind of mass going on behind the high altar so much of it was blocked off. You couldn’t go down underneath the altar where St. Peter is buried or walk behind the main altar. Also St. Peter’s statue (where people rub his toe, I remember from before) was blocked so I only got a side photo.
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