Audience with the Pope
While I’m in Italy, I’ve asked several blogosphere friends to share travel stories with you while I’m gone. This story from Woman with No Regrets is from her time in Italy. I thought I’d share it today, the day my Florence tour ends and the first day I’ll be in Rome.
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studied abroad in Germany in 1986-87. My boyfriend at the time came to visit me from the United States and we took a trip to Italy. I remember standing in the plaza outside of the Vatican and just taking in the scene - the tourists walking around, the beauty of the buildings, and the birds searching for food on the ground - when a man came up to us. He had tickets to a private audience with Pope John Paul II, and two of his friends could not attend so he offered them to us. How wonderful! Of course we took them (free!). I was very excited, because it was such a rare opportunity, and more importantly, because this important figure was Polish (which I am).
The room was laid out like a church, and was the size of a small church. On the platform there was the most amazing chair have ever seen, carved out of wood. If I can I will attach a photo, since I’m not sure I can do it justice. From the space where the Pope would sit there were beautiful tendrils to the left and right and a little bit up. I don’t remember now if there was a face carved into it, but it was clear that the intention was to show the spirit moving out from the person sitting in the chair.
The Pope came in from a door on the side and sat in the chair. He proceeded to speak in at least 4 languages - providing words of welcome, wisdom, humor, and blessing. Each person sat with rapt attention.
The audience with him lasted no more than a half an hour. He exited by walking down the aisle, shaking hands as he went, spreading his grace and spirit. Though I had rejected much of Catholicism long before, I was nonetheless incredibly moved by the meeting with this amazing man.
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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Just because I’m not using it doesn’t mean I’m ready to throw it out! 2007
Shoulder pain mysteriously disappears 2006
another funeral 2005
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Just because I’m not using it doesn’t mean I’m ready to throw it out! 2007
Shoulder pain mysteriously disappears 2006
another funeral 2005
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
December 1st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
That’s pretty cool. I bet your mom was really impressed.
churlitas last blog post..Once I Thought I Saw You In a Crowded Hazy Bar