VIVA IL PAPA!

This was a week we will never forget! Monday, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignment from the Papacy right after my morning theology class.  We were scheduled for an audience with him in the middle of March with my class but that was definitely not going to happen.... instead my Professor got on the phone right away to see if he could reschedule for this week's audience which would be the first time Pope Benedict would appear after his resignation.  Kathryn was still here during the week so she was dying to get a ticket as well. I emailed him right away asking if it was possible and he said he would but he would not know about the tickets for the whole class until the night before! We were all praying and crossing our fingers....and our prayers worked!!! We were going to be present at one of the last audience with the Pope!

Tuesday was a busy day. Kathryn tagged along to my photography outings to my professor's studio and to a market near the Vatican.  Then I had class until 5:45...  That night was the last night of Carnevale, so we went to Piazza del Popolo for the fireworks and the horse show.  They were spectacular!!! I kept on just thinking how lucky I am to be here in Rome at this time while the fireworks went off synchronized with Italian opera music.  Afterwards, we went to Pizza Re' which was almost a replica of Punch pizza...... Kath and I died.  But we had tiramisu for dessert rather than Punch's nutella pizza.  We went to bed early because we had to prepare for a very exciting morning the next day!

We all got up at 6:30 and headed over to the Vatican.  The audience wasn't until 10:30 but we wanted to get there when security opened at 8.  We got great seats because of our determination!!  The great hall was packed with people from all around the world.  Choirs and groups of students would get up and take turns performing while we waited for the Pope.  It was amazing to be a part of all of this.  We chatted with priests and seminarians and the Missionaires of Charity who sat behind us.  We got invited to their holy hour on every sunday and mass at their home here in Rome (we colllected a few holy cards from them as well).  There was an Argentinian priest who sat in front of us and we passed our time trying to communicate with each other, both only knowing a little bit of Italian and then barely any spanish.  It was such a fun experience even though we were waiting for two hours!  There was also a German band a few rows back decked out in their traditional costumes.  They were from the Pope's hometown and would play a song every once in a while.  

The crowd went crazy when he entered the great hall.  I have never seen so many energetic people in one room waving flags and shouting, "VIVA IL PAPA!" He smiled and stretched out his arms welcoming everyone.  He was the cutest thing.  I seriously could not stop smiling! He was this sweet little old man, yet he is one of the most respected and holiest men in the world.  It saddened me a bit seeing how old and frail he looked though... yet there was still a certain strength to him. He gave an address to the crowd in Italian first.  I could only pick up on a few things he said, but I could definitely tell he said something about his resignation and to continue to pray for him, the Church, and the new Pope. Then he gave an address to the main nationalities present (7 different languages!).  I can't believe he did that.  I was just tired sitting there but he managed to give 7 different and personalized speeches to each of the different countries present.  In his address to the english speakers he gave a special blessing to all of our families back home and said he is praying especially for all of the students present :) so that we can all grow in our faith during this lenten season.  My favorite part of the audience was when this group of small Italian children stood up in the crowd and sang to our Pope.  He was absolutely beaming.  It was so precious, he gave a special thank you to them and told them that that was very dear to his heart.  It was the only thing that he said that was not rehearsed or written down.  I will never ever forget this and all of my friends present said the same thing. Everyone was so moved by this experience even those who aren't Catholic couldn't help but to be touched by this.  It was amazing that people can gather from all over the world just to see one man and that everyone can unite through the faith.  We are experiencing history!!!

That night we went to Santa Susanna for Ash Wednesday mass.  We also had tickets for the ballet Giselle at the Teatro Dell'Opera which was just right down the street.  It was so beautiful and the theater was just how you would imagine a royal opera house to look like.  I felt kind of like a princess and a little girl at the same time... because every little girl at one time dreamt of being a prima ballerina.

My life is absolutely crazy right now: I saw the Pope at such a historical time, I went to the ballet, and then the next night I left for Paris... I can't even explain how extremely grateful I am for my experiences and this opportunity to be able to study abroad.. these are the times I will never forget!!!

Bacioni xxxx