Much like my first time in this room, I see loads of pilgrims who are very excited to be here. I'm excited too. The pope is a big deal, even for those of us who aren't Roman Catholic. He is a major figure who wields considerable influence, if not power, around the world. And I think he's met Bono, so that's already a cool factor in his favor.
There are red-trimmed clerics on the stage along side the Swiss guards. The most noticeable difference from my previous visit is presence of very high-tech screens and speakers along the sides of the stage. Paul VI was carried in down the center aisle. Benedict had the good sense to walk in under his own steam from stage right. There was, of course, a huge fanfare preceding his entrance and wild applause following it. Clerics read announcements in various languages prior to the pope's remarks. He read a short essay on Saint Francis of Assisi and St Bonaventure in those same languages, then each cleric returned to the microphone to welcome groups in attendance.
When they were mentioned, nuns waved, a youth group of about 200 from Spain cheered, a boy's choir sang beautifully, and in the most unexpected display, about 30 members of a string ensemble played the William Tell Overture. It drew the biggest applause of the day!
When it was all over, about noon, most of the 3000 people headed for the doors, even though Benedict was still on the stage. I used the time to make my way closer and tried to get some better photos. I heard American English and saw a priest trying to take a picture of himself with the pope in the background, so I volunteered to help. That's how I met Fr Jayson, who’s on sabbatical from his parish in California. We chatted a bit and I mentioned the reputation of the carbonara and tiramisu at Abruzzi, and we agreed to meet there at 8 pm. The activity on the stage included Benedict blessing some clergy, signing a document for a young man in a white cassock, and then blessing two couples, still in their wedding attire, who had been married that morning and had come straight to the Vatican for this purpose. I can only imagine how excited they were to have the pope bless them on their wedding day.
It was cloudy, so after wandering around the piazza just a little, I went back to the Irish College to check in about moving to the cottage. As I passed through the main hall, I saw Msgr Liam and asked if he’d had a chance to remember our neighbor’s baby, also named Liam, in his prayers at Mass. Liam’s parents, Connor and Caroline, are Irish by descent and Catholic by practice, so I thought it would be meaningful to them to have their son remembered in a Mass said by a real Irish priest. Msgr Bergin said he had done so and stopped to write out a card for me to take home to Connor and Caroline.
I went back to the convent and took a nap. At 6:45, I realized that there was a set of keys on the table and one hanging in my door. I’d picked up Liam’s keys by mistake as we chatted. I imagined he must have been searching, not able to lock his office, get into his car, etc - but reception was closed and I didn’t know where to look for him. So, I took the keys to his table in the refectory. As I left, I saw him in the opposite colonnade and made my way there to confess. No worries, he said, “I do that sort of thing all the time myself and I’d never has suspected you!” - plus, he has another set of keys.
I arrived at Abruzzi just after 8 and Jayson was already there. We had a nice meal; the carbonara was very good, but the tiramisu was outstanding!! The were lots of priests there, including a rather round fellow who had led a canon law seminar that Jayson attended a few days before. Jayson allowed as if this guy eats at Abruzzi, it must be good! During dinner, we talked a lot about the Church, especially about how churches have been responsible for alienating and disillusioning so many people looking for ways to find, deepen, and express their faith.
After happening upon the Greg and taking our pictures there, we walked to the fountain, where I pitched my penny (10 cents, actually) and then we went our separate ways, promising to keep in touch. I ended up at the Argentine again and took the night bus home.
It was a full day, a good day. I saw the Pope, made a friend, had a great dinner, and hedged my bet that I'd be back in Rome again. It was my third consecutive day in Vatican City. I still haven’t gotten to the museum or into the dome - and I don't mind at all.
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