--1--
One year ago today, I was standing in St. Peter's Square. I was 4 feet away from Papa Benedict. I was hearing him speak. I was eating pizza and gelato while waiting for a Sede Vacante to begin. I stood in the Square as Papa boarded a helicopter and left the city. I heard people calling goodbye, and bells tolling for his departure. I stood in darkness with some seminarians and 10 friends as the single bell rang to tell us, "We have no Pope."
--2--
--3--
I don't think I'll ever forgot February 2013. After Pope Benedict announced his resignation, we had a sudden meeting at our campus (I was studying in Gaming, Austria for the semester). Together, we voted to decide that we wanted to get rid of a 3-day weekend later in the semester in order to have the opportunity to bus down to Rome 2 days earlier than planned. They had to have a certain number of signatures in order to book the bus, and although it was down to the wire, we did it.
Two weeks later, about 100 students and professors' families boarded 3 buses and headed 10+ hours south to Rome. Grace and I had been to Rome earlier in the semester, which I am forever grateful for, because while everyone else was freaking out over "being in Rome", I was like, "POPE BENEDICT AAAHHHHH" and was (slightly less) distracted by everything outside of the Square.
We arrived at 6 am, and waited in line outside the gates for over an hour, where we met some seminarians from the States and prayed morning prayer with them. And then, we got separated.
Two weeks later, about 100 students and professors' families boarded 3 buses and headed 10+ hours south to Rome. Grace and I had been to Rome earlier in the semester, which I am forever grateful for, because while everyone else was freaking out over "being in Rome", I was like, "POPE BENEDICT AAAHHHHH" and was (slightly less) distracted by everything outside of the Square.
We arrived at 6 am, and waited in line outside the gates for over an hour, where we met some seminarians from the States and prayed morning prayer with them. And then, we got separated.
--4--
When there's a group of 100 crazily excited college students trying to battle their way into the front row of a massive square, there's bound to be separation. So when a group of about 15 of us got separated from the group, we weren't surprised, but we were definitely bummed. That group had front-row seats with our massive Franciscan University sign. Our group was near the back, next to a blockade, with a puny little sign. Chances of being near Papa, slim to none.
--5--
Finally, after hours of waiting, the Pope emerged from behind the walls of the Vatican, and he rode around the square, blessing people, stopping every so often. We didn't know what route he was taking, and we were 80% sure that he wasn't coming near us. BUT THEN… the guards approached a family across the barricade from us. They were Americans, living in Rome, and they had a baby. The pope would bless their baby.
Yes.
Moments later, Pope Benedict rode by, within an arms' length of where I was standing. First, he stopped and blessed the baby, and then he turned to our side. He looked at us for a long moment, as literally all of us called to him, reached out, and loved him. He met our eyes with his, and smiling, he gave us a blessing and continued on.
Yes.
Moments later, Pope Benedict rode by, within an arms' length of where I was standing. First, he stopped and blessed the baby, and then he turned to our side. He looked at us for a long moment, as literally all of us called to him, reached out, and loved him. He met our eyes with his, and smiling, he gave us a blessing and continued on.
--6--
In the afternoon, we were back outside St. Peter's, and we watched on large screens as Papa made his way from the Papal apartments to a waiting helicopter. Though we didn't know each other, we gathered close to each other as if proximity would make it better. With tears in our eyes, we waved to the Pope as he flew away.
The rest of the day was a blur. I got interviewed a couple times for European newspapers and TV stations, answering, "What does this mean for me?" and "Why are you here?" Then, for several hours, we wandered around the city, visiting churches, eating snacks, and talking. Digesting. Finally, it was time. In the darkness, we made our way to the Square. Once there, we joined a group of American seminarians who were leading a rosary. Gradually, more people joined in, and soon we were praying an international rosary. We ended, then stood in silence to wait.
At 8:00 pm exactly, a single bell began ringing. It rang through the darkness and made the whole city stop, it seemed. We stood, not knowing what to do, and finally, someone begin singing the Salve. The small groups scattered around the square joined in, and after it ended, there was silence again. I remember not knowing what to do. We had no pope. We were (temporarily) leader-less. It was a feeling of loss and sadness and yet incredible Hope and Trust.
My second trip to Rome was powerful, difficult, and rewarding. I honestly don't think I'l ever forget the feeling of standing with so many people, all for the same reason; or singing praise and worship at the North American College seminary; or praying in the language of the Church, led by the Holy Father himself. It taught me the universality of our Faith.
At 8:00 pm exactly, a single bell began ringing. It rang through the darkness and made the whole city stop, it seemed. We stood, not knowing what to do, and finally, someone begin singing the Salve. The small groups scattered around the square joined in, and after it ended, there was silence again. I remember not knowing what to do. We had no pope. We were (temporarily) leader-less. It was a feeling of loss and sadness and yet incredible Hope and Trust.
My second trip to Rome was powerful, difficult, and rewarding. I honestly don't think I'l ever forget the feeling of standing with so many people, all for the same reason; or singing praise and worship at the North American College seminary; or praying in the language of the Church, led by the Holy Father himself. It taught me the universality of our Faith.
--7--
After that little trip down memory lane, I'll be back tomorrow for another post… I may have missed the last two days, but I'll finish the week out strong!