SPQR Fellowship

The highlight of Wednesday was getting to see Pope Benedict XVI. On Wednesday mornings, the Basilica of St. Peter’s is closed, and people have the opportunity to attend a papal audience. I was very excited to attend this event.

I arrived early. When I picked up my ticket on Monday, the Swiss guard told me that the gates open at 8:00 a.m. and the service starts at 10:30. I got in line at about 7:45, and I was still not anywhere near the front of the line. I couldn’t believe the crowds! When the gates finally opened, everyone had to go through security to enter, and then you could find a seat. St. Peter’s Square is filled with chairs until about the water fountains and oblisk (see diagram below). There are thousands of people! Ironically, I ended up sitting behind people from Wisconsin, and we talked and I sketched to pass the time.

Then, everyone started cheering, moving to the edges of the barriers, standing on their chairs, and taking pictures. The Pope was coming! He drove around the edge of the crowds in his popemobile, surrounded my at least a dozen guards. What was interesting though was that his popemobile was not the bulletproof glass one – it was completely open air. I was pretty close to the edge, so I was able to get some close-up photos. After he passed by once, he came back around a second time! It was pretty exciting.

The entire service lasted about one and one-half hours. The do a reading in several different languages, the Pope speaks, and then they introduce the groups from the different parts of the world. I think this was done in at least 6 languages. When some of the groups were introduced, they would sing a line or two. Since there was such a large audience, it was hard to hear, but if you were able to listen, the music was beautiful as it filled the square. It was a wonderful morning in St. Peter’s Square!

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