Now I am not at all religious.But I’ve always thought that one of the great experiences that most visitors to Rome overlook is the chance to see the Pope — live and in action. Of course, they visit the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican Museums.
So why not check out the Pope himself?
It is a bit of living history and you can see the Pope without much trouble (no lines, no metal detectors!), when he delivers his weekly message to the crowds in St. Peters Square.
Summer excluded, Pope Benedict XVI speaks nearly every Sunday at noon from the window of his apartment overlooking the Square. (The same window where Pope John Paul II, the previous Pope, delivered his final messages when he was dying two years ago.)
When the wildly popular John Paul II was still alive, the Sunday message was a real happening — it had the feel of Woodstock for Catholics.
There were huge crowds of young Catholics from all over the world on the Square often flying flags and singing songs as a warm up act until the Pope appeared.
The mood now is more subdued, but pilgrims from all reaches of the globe still flock to the square for the occassion.The Pope’s message, which is delivered mostly in Italian, is rarely breaking news.
On a recent week it was a usual mix of religion and calls for world peace, particularly an end to fighting in Darfur. But then — to choruses of cheers — he welcomes and blesses the crowd in half a dozen languages.
For Catholics it is a dream come true.
For me (and even my teenagers, who’ve come along) it is a chance to see a world leader in action, and a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.
And don’t think you won’t be moved. St Peter’s Square (a product of Michelangelo and Bernini, in part) is magnificent architecture, and the Vatican is great at putting on spectacles!+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce