Wonderful story. This goes out to some of my friends.
Bump.
What a nice story. =)
What a wonderful story. I just got back from Rome last week and visited the Vatican on Wednesday thinking we might get a glimpse of the pope. Then when I read in my guidebook that the Vatican Museums are emptiest on Wednesday and Sunday, when others are waiting to see the pope. I exchanged the chance to see him for an easier trip through the Vatican. We loved the museums, so it was worth it (and we were very tired). But I envy this woman. How delightful!
I had a somewhat similar encounter with Pope John Paul II. I was just strolling through St. Peter's on a whim. He passed within 10 feet of me, the crowd's reaction was the same.
Glad you had a religious experience at this Mass with our Pope.
I enjoyed your recollection.
Thank you for your account. It must have indeed been very moving to celebrate mass with the Holy Father in St John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome. I have beautiful memories of the cathedral, the relics, and of course the pilgrims at the nearby Scala Sancta.
I visited Rome as a tourist a long time ago.
I was walking through St. Peter's. I wasn't looking where I was going; I was gaping like a hick from the sticks (which I was, and still am) at this incredible work of art that is used as a place of worship.
And I plowed straight into a mild-mannered cardinal who had stopped before a statue to pray.
I apologized profusely; he waved it off and gave me a blessing. I promised to be a lot more careful.
That cardinal was, at the time, a relative unknown outside of the theologically literate.
The world remembers him as Pope John Paul II. I remember him as a kind-hearted man who had compassion for a young fool.
Like seeds in the desert that suddenly burst into blazing color after the rain.
Catholic Ping
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Lovely, indeed. Each sighting of Pope Benedict XVI gives me a feeling I can't quite describe...and this is through th medium of television.
bttt
ooooh you made my day! thanks!
Everybody in the media keeps saying that Benedict XVI is "just not as charismatic" as John Paul II.
I'm not so sure. People seem to be profoundly affected by their encounters with him, although perhaps in a different, quieter way than JPII's blaze of glory.
Maybe it's the quality of holiness. Maybe it's the Holy Spirit. But I am more and more impressed with this wonderful man.