PAPA'S AUDIENCE

Day 14, Nov 17

The Pope granted the general audience on Wednesday traveling in the Pope-mobile in the Square, and Sunday’s appearance from his residence. The second day in Rome was our destiny to be in the Pope’s audience.

We started early in the morning from the wakeup call, too early from a 5 hours of sleeping from the long previous night, and breakfast prepared from the hotel came in a brown bag, to-go deal to save time. The bus drive was another 30 minutes going to the Square from our hotel at the outskirt of Rome. We got to the security gate stationed under the colonnades about 7AM. We waited here among many groups of pilgrimage; among them was a couple in wedding outfit accompanied by a priest would be blessed by the Pope on this day. The waiting time seemed long yet passing quickly as we were watching peoples from all over the world congregating at the gate who spoke in different languages and seemed to have a common thought this morning, to see the Pope. The gate opened later after 7AM, we got in and quickly situated by the front of the barriers, against the rail where the best of the Pope could be seen. We waited and enjoyed the ambience among others. The weather in the Square was a little chilly yet sunshining and beautiful with fresh air; the crowds were quickly filled up all around in the square. Some groups came prepared with banners, flags, and dressed in the same colors, prepped with songs. Honorable choirs were up in the front started entertaining the crowd.

Our appointment card was scheduled for the 10:30AM, we lost the idea of time while watching people all around. Past 11:00AM the commotion became loud as the Pope’s image was shown on the giant screen as he started from the back side of the church in a mobile. The Pope came across the front rows, and made a big round trip to the back of the Square following the outside barricades. The Square was full on Wednesday, many people could be seen on the streets at a far distance, outside of the barricades without entrance tickets. As the Pope made it back to the center the applause and roaring became louder toward us. And 5ft away from the mobile, my camera worked flawless in rapid sequence. The Pope was real in front of me!

The event continued with the Pope’s addressing in 5 languages at least, from the outdoor altar. The English version came toward to the end, most of the speeches came from countries in European languages. The assistant Cardinal introduced various groups in the square, where the pope’s head turned toward them, he then raised hand to bless them. Some parishes and their groups traveling from the US were announced, their uproar was followed with the flags.

This day the church was universal, and very Catholic.


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