So I calls up the Pope and I says " Hey Padro Santo (He likes that nickname)!"He said "Hey! Fray Bart (which he calls me in these informal moments), long time, no chat!"
I said "Si Padre Santo - you're never on Facebook anymore!"
"I know, regrettable," he responded, "but I been travellin'"
"Hey, I know," I said, "That's kinda what I am calling about, I'm headed to Jerusalem and I know you were there recently and I wonder if you have tips for the pilgrim to the Holy Land..."
"Yeah! Look... I got a tight schedules these days, but why don't you drop by on Wednesday and I'll leave a couple of VIP tickets for you and your friends and we can chat..."
So that's not exactly the way that it happened, but I ended up in the VIP section at Wednesday's general papal audience: it is the second time that I was fortunate enough to sit ion this section and it meant that I was very close to the "action" as Pope Benedict gave his Catechesis tothe gathered thousands in Piazza San Pietro on Wednesday. We were three or four rows back from the stage (O my God, we had third row seats for Papapalooza!!!!) and had excellent position to observe his arrival and departure adn to hear his inspirational instruction.I am hanging out with Filip Leonarski and "Dr. Dan" Buffington in Rome these days. It has been a great start to the pilgrimage that will ultimately take me to the Promised Land. ù
I have taken more than 300 pictures in the last two days and am anxious to share them with you, but I am limited because of my need to use internet cafes here in Italy and the limitations placed on the use of such public computers. Besided that, Italy has the most restrictive internet identy rules in the world and that makes it difficult for me to use my own computer at internet "hot spots" that are so prevalent in the US. So I ask your patience. I may not get photos uploaded until I get to Jerusalem. We'll see.
My cell phone does not work in Italy and that has been an interesting exercise. Today, I got separated from Dr. Dan and we could not communicate with each other. We even both tried telepahy. It was so frustrating not being able to resort to my electronic arsenal. But it is also refreshing to know that I am basically cut off from the rigors of everyday life so I can really enjoy this brief time of vacation before I head for Jerusalem.
In addition to the Papal audience, on Wednesday, we also visited the Tombs of the popes in the Vatican Grottoes. That was great preparation for the visit to the Vatican Scavi tour in which we will participate on Thursday.
We have planned a Thursday tour of the four Papal Basilicas on Thursday, beginning with St: Paul's outside the Walls (great being that this is a year dedicated to St. Paul and this is the primary pilgrimage church associated with the special year of observances) and ending with the Tour of the excavations of the Necropolis beneath St. Peter's Basilica. More on this in the next post. Ciao!
did you get the vip b/c of the habit? i've been told priests (but not usually nuns) will get into the vip if they wear clerics.
ReplyDeleteHey Chip!! Are old St. Pete's bones open to the public? I have been all over - up and down - St. Peter's, but never to the crypt. Awesome, I wanna go. I am enjoying your bolg tremendously and will visit the big J vicariously through it. Unless I win the lottery, it is unlikely I will ever experience the city in person. Have you read Tom Robbins "Skinny Legs & All"? Jerusalem plays a large role in the tale.
ReplyDeleteRenee - I don't know why I got the VIP tickets - the same thing happened last time I went to an audience. But as I looked around the area where I was sitting, the only common criterion for the very diverse group seemed to be that they were individuals or very small groups (I was there with 3 people). There were lots of sisters in the same area. There are also special sectios for the sick and recently married couples who show up in their wedding clothing to receive a special blessing from the Pope after the audience.
ReplyDeletePatricia - anyone can request tickets to the Scavi tour - but only about 300 tickets per week are given out. I have requested them on each of my last 4 trips and this was the first time I got them. If you google "vatican scavi tour" you can find info about it. It is honestly one of the most wonderful experiences i have ever had as an historian and as a Catholic. I have not reaad the book you mentioned. I will have to look for it.