Papal Update

Once again, totally behind on everything, including blogging. Rome is an incredible place right now, so much energy and excitement!

It's impossible to express how blessed I am to be in Rome at such an exciting time. I remember driving to the airport, and thinking, "Y'know, I could just stay home. I don't really have to go to Rome." Little did I know that only a month later, I'd be caught up in the most exciting thing I've ever done. Not only did I get to attend the last public mass, but I was also there for the last Papal Audience. 

The audience was fantastic. St. Peter's square was absolutely jam-packed with people from all over the world. Flags were flying, people were singing, and the mood was completely joyful, as we waited for the pope to arrive. We all had our backpacks crammed with religious items for Benedict to bless, and we had our intentions, so that our friends and families back home would also get the blessing.  As the time approached the tension heightened, and it was all I could do to not jump up and down in my seat. 

Then a voice over the loud speaker began calling the names of different groups from different countries. First Italian, then Spanish, then German, and finally, English. We all waited with bated breath while the voice called the other university groups. At first, I was afraid that we wouldn't be called. But finally they called us, and we cheered at the top of our lungs, waving our flag proudly. It was the most elating feeling to know that the pope knew we were there, and that we loved him and were loyal to him. After several more languages, the voice stopped, and we were caught in suspense for another ten minutes. 

Then the organ blared out, and everything fell silent, then, to one side, the crowd caught sight of the Pope, and the square erupted in cheers. I ran through the crowd, and for the first time, got to see Pope Benedict up close. 

I was so elated, and I remember shouting, "Papa!" as the pope mobile drove serenely past. When I could no longer see him, I turned around and saw two of my friends trying to balance on a small plastic chair in order to see over the crowd. Then we resumed our seats, as the audience began.

The moment the readings began, the entire crowd was completely still and silent. Then the pope made a long address in Italian. Of course, I couldn't understand it at the time, but the line that stuck with me after I read the translation was, "The heart of a pope expands to encompass the whole world." I think this really sums up Benedict's pontificate. A simple, German scholar becomes pope, and God gives him all the graces to fulfill his duties and then some. 

After the Audience, we went back to campus to hold our traditional Greek Olympics. Or at least, we pretended to. In reality we were waiting for the papal helicopter to fly over, so we could bid one last farewell to Papa Benedict.

(James Bernard or Ryan Reedy)

As we lay on the ground, we saw the helicopter hesitate, and a tiny white speck appeared at one of the windows. Then as it moved on, towards Castel Gandolfo, we all ran after it, cheering. It was a very personal goodbye from all of us here on campus.

Later, a friend and I went up to Castel Gandolfo. We'd missed the very last speech, so it was very quiet in the piazza even though there were cameras and news crews everywhere; The whole town was hushed and joining the Pope in prayer. I bought a rosary from a small shop, and spent the last hour of Pope Benedict's pontificate praying outside the papal residence. 

Then the clock struck eight. Very slowly, the Swiss Guard saluted, and then, noiselessly closed the huge wood doors. Then, it was all over.