Meeting the Pope

The Pope has a general audience with the public on Wednesdays.  We had reserved our tickets though the Bishops' Office for the United States Visitors to the Vatican several weeks in advance. Such reservations allows one to get into St. Peter's Square when it opens to the public, but it does not guarantee one a seat or even meeting the Pope. Thousands of those tickets are issued for the event.

We got up very early, took the city bus to St. Peter's Square and were among the first to arrive at the venue at 6;30am. But-for the staff, the place was basically empty.  Thus we were near the front of the line. Once the gate opened and we passed through security, Amaka and Obi ran very fast to get us good seats right in front.

Waiting for Pope Francis

First glimpse of "Papa Francesco" in his Pope Mobile

Our efforts paid off. Twice. When the Holy Father came by in his Pope Mobile, Chimdi was the first for the pope to touch.

A gentleman from Chicago sitting next to us had the video of the meeting captured on his handheld device.

Carrying Chimdi high enough for the Pope to see

Papa Francesco waving to the audience

Papa asked for Chimdi who was carried by his guards to him

 

 

 Following the drive around the Square, the Pope delivered his weekly message and blessings

He then came down from the alter, straight to where we were. Next to us was a group of students from Barcelona whose school was celebrating its 50 year anniversary. They gave the Pope the red sash. He then turned over to Chimdi Peter:

 

Perfect eye contact: The successor to St. Peter meets Chimdi Peter.

 

 

We met this Pilgrim from Colorado with a fascinating story, Quickly bonded with the kids. She has been to over 60 countries, 40 of them by foot. For this audience, she walked from Latvia to Rome.

On our way out of the Square

A perfect day at the Vatican!

Ruins of Pompeii

We arrived in Rome on Monday, the first day of the 2015 holy week. On Tuesday, our first full day, we took a day trip to Pompeii. 

Pompeii
Totally destroyed by the earthquake in 62 AD, then the volcanic eruption of mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the preserved ruins of Pompeii tells us how the Romans lived more than 2000 years ago. It is indeed tragic to see how the whole city was wiped out, and to see that the modern city of Pompeii is even closer to the mountain is stunning.

The earthquake hit Pompeii on February 5, 62 AD. The residents of Pompeii started rebuilding all that had been destroyed. When the people were in the middle of their work, in 79 AD, Vesuvius erupted, covering the the city with 4-6 meters of ash. At the time of the eruption, the city had about 11,000 residents and the city had a water system, an amphitheater, a gymnasium and a port. The ash that fell from the volcano completely covered the city and that is how we know what we know today.
 

 

 Plaster Casts of people buried by the volcanic ash

The excavators found the citizens of Pompeii inside hardening shells of volcanic ash. the bodies had almost crumbled away, and all that was left was a hollow space. The scientists poured plaster inside it and left it to harden. We were left with a very detailed cast of what the person looked like. We are able to see the folds of clothing, the facial expressions, and the way the person was positioned.                                                 

 Resting on a hill at one of the gates of Pompeii

 Mt. Vesuvius in the distance

 A well preserved room with frescoes

Another room with frescoes

Almost all rooms in Pompeii were decorated with elaborate frescoes. The frescoes depict what the room was used for, or simply just to decorate. The room above was decorated with pictures of the Mars, the god of war, and Mercury, the god of thieves, and travelers.

On a street

Standing an a stepping stone used to cross the street as people used the street to empty sewage/garbage

Pompeii's forum

At the end of the day.getting fresh squeezed orange and lemon juice

We had a wonderful experience in Pompeii. We were very tired at the end, but we decided it was worth every second.