Il Papa

Max, who attends a Catholic school in Viterbo, came home with a notice that the school would be going in to Rome for the day to see the Pope for national student day.

We decided this could be an adventure, so we arranged transportation and headed off for St. Peter's Square. It was hot and sunny, the streets were packed -- mostly with students and nuns, but also with parents and tourists and others who got swept up into the crowds. It was hard to move. We knew where we needed to go in order to be escorted to special seating, but we simply couldn't get there due to the thousands of people. We did make it, after about 3 hours, and just like that we went from the crowds to a very calm oasis reserved for the disabled. We were right up at the front, under the stage from which the Pope would speak, with chairs and bottles of water and handkerchiefs to block out some of the sun.

One of the most peculiar things for us was how "flashy" the "show" was. We somehow expected a more solemn affair...but this is Italy. There were singers, performers, half-naked girls gyrating in front of the Pope, rappers...you name it. And the crowds! People holding signs, waving their scarves, holding white balloons, and nuns everywhere -- some with white umbrellas to keep off the sun, others dancing to the music.

The Pope made his way past us in his Pope Mobile, waving and smiling. We assumed that was our "close encounter." Little did we know that after he had driven all around the square, he'd come back to greet us. The Popemobile returned to the front, the Pope stepped down (followed by numerous guards from every agency you can imagine) and shook hands and spoke with each person in our "section." He took his time, he looked each person in the eye, and was willing to spend more time with those who wanted to share a story with him or ask for a blessing.

Fortunately, there are hundred of "media" people taking photos and video. By that night we could see ourselves on YouTube and go through photos online taken of us at the event. This was not something that went undocumented!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYBO2aAZrtA
minute 41.30

Here are some of the professional photos...I'll add mine once I catch up.

See the green hat and blue camera? That's max taking a photo of the Pope shaking Rick's hand.

This one is hysterical. Look at Max's face: "I got it!"

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