Last night after we got back to Orvieto, we checked the train schedule only to find out that we would have to leave Orvieto at 4 am or 7:30 am, which would get us to Rome too late. Jason was ready to throw the towel in-but we had a good think for a better solution. Our flight back in England was out of Rome and we were staying at a hotel outside of Rome for Sunday night. Jason called the hotel to see if we could park our car there and catch a taxi to the Vatican. No problem.
We woke the kids up and were out the door by around 6. The kids fell asleep in the car for the 1.5 hour drive to our hotel. The hotel called us a taxi and we arrived at St. Peters just as the gates were being opened. You could just feel a sense of excitement in the air. As we were walking to some seats, a young nun turned to us and said, "You have a beautiful family. Happy Easter!"
We found some seats-just about 20 or so rows from the front! I think you could have gotten in without tickets-they were not really checking them. Now-we just have to sit here and keep the kids entertained for 2 hours before mass starts. There is so much going on around us that it was easier than it sounds. We packed some crackers and water as well as coloring books.
There were flags from other countries waving in the calm breeze. The sun was shining-it really was a beautiful morning. We have Germans in front of us, Americans next to us and Italians behind us. Somewhere from behind us some nuns are playing guitars and leading a group in song. We stood up on our chairs and look behind us-there are people as far as you can see.
Jason ran Griffen to the bathroom about 10 and Jillian started to get restless. I walked to the back of our section of seats and see the guards starting to close off the wooden barriers and clearing a walk way. Some sort of military band starts up and walks through the aisles. I found my way back to my seat, just in time for the bells to start ringing. Everyone stands on their chairs in anticipation, and you can see German flags waving everywhere. Then we see him.
The pope walks right by us-we can see him-we are only 8 chairs away from the aisle. Griffen looks up at the giant TV screen and yells, "Mommy, the pope wears glasses like me!" The joy on his face was priceless.
Mass started with the pope venerating the cross. Most of the mass was in Latin-imagine hearing 100,000+people singing the Gloria in Latin. Bone chilling. It made me want to cry, as I looked around, I wasn't the only one brought to tears.
The first reading was in Italian, second in English and the Gospel was sung, in Latin. Just as the priest was preparing to read the Gospel-you could almost hear a pin drop. Imagine that-silence in St. Peters Square with all those people. Jason said he has always wondered why the Latin is sung in that tone of voice (you know the one?) We now know why. Once the priest starting to sing the Gospel, you could hear is echo throughout the square-it was in harmony with his voice. I wish I could convey the thrill of this experience-but I think you have to do it yourself-my words can only describe so much.
Another sight to see was the hundreds of priests that walked down the steps for communion. Jason took a picture-but it was amazing to see. After mass was finished, the kids sighed with relied, only for us to tell them they had to wait a bit more because the Pope was going to come to the window and give his Easter Blessing.
As the crowd anxiously awaited the curtain to pull back, we could hear several different groups in multiple languages singing Happy Birthday. Today was the Pope's birthday. After Pope Benedict's blessing and message he proceeded to say, "Christ is Risen, Christ is resurrected," in every possible language. It all ended with the bells ringing a good 20 minutes solid. None too soon for Griffen.
We rewarded the kids for their patience and good behavior with a visit to the park. We found a nice family park, Villa Borghese. We had sandwiches and chips from a vendor and then rented a bike built for 4. That was a hoot. The kids couldn't reach the petals, so it was just Jason & I and there were a few hills to manage. At on point we saw someone else being pushed up the hill, so Jason said, "Lets pass them." We put our spinning legs to use and passed them, with Jillian riding in a front basket, Kaitlyn & Griffen in the back laughing away; they were younger than us too. A great way to end our vacation...back to England tomorrow and Jason flies to Thousand Oaks on Tuesday.
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