Incredible

Tonight was truly amazing, awesome, wonderful, and so many other things that just haven't sunk in yet.  Never in a million years did I think I would be in St. Peter's Square to see white smoke billowing out of the Sistine Chapel and then to see a new Pontiff emerge from the balcony.  As I type this, I'm getting chills. 

St. Peter's with the Sistine Chapel in the background.

The facade of the Basilica.

As you know, I was in St. Peter's Square this morning when we had black smoke.  This afternoon, I returned with Bros. Javi and Joseph to wait once again.  The difference this time was that the rain was quite a bit harder!  My feet were wet and my arms were tired from holding an umbrella.  5:00 passed with no signal which meant that an inconclusive vote had been reached...again we had to wait. 

All we could see.

Bro. Joseph and Bro. Javi

Your's truly

And we even found Bro. Dani in the crowd.

But, the crowd was growing and there had been rumors all day that today would be the day.  I didn't really believe them.  Several laughs came from the crowd as a pigeon roosted on top of the Sistine chimney.  The Holy Spirit?  In my typical sarcastic way I mentioned that it was probably just a warm place to rest for a bit.

There was no way to get a good picture of the crowd, but it was massive.

Pigeon on the chimeny

Chimney Cam quickly became Bird Cam

Shortly after 7:00, a collective gasp went up from the crowd...is that smoke?  What color is it?  NO WAY!  The crowd went wild when it became very obvious that the smoke was WHITE!  Something short of chaos followed...cheering, hollering, hugging, smiles and looks of disbelief all over the place.  It was soon confirmed as the bells of St. Peter began to peal, adding to the cacophony that had become St. Peter's.

Smoke....

....White Smoke!!!!!

The revelry begins

I wonder how big the ballots are, because there was a whole bunch of smoke!

The bells ringing....beautiful music.

During the next 45 minutes, there was a sort of electricity in the air.  Question of who do you think it will be?  Moments of realization that I was actually here, not watching on television, but actually in the place where millions around the globe were watching on television.  And the rain even stopped! 

We were very happy.

A regiment of the Swiss guard with a band marched in, followed by a regiment and band of the Italian guard.

The Swiss Guard

The Italians

As we waited, not knowing what would happen next, spontaneous chants of "Viva Papa" echoed through the Square.  We sang the Salve Regina, we prayed the Our Father.  It was quite impressive to experience this sense of togetherness with thousands of others from all over the globe. 

Then, a light came on.  Literally, the lights of the balcony came on and, again, a collective cheer came from the crowd.  A Cardinal came out and exclaimed: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; Habemus Papam.” In English, “I announce to you a great joy; We have a Pope.”  Then his name was given, and honestly, no one understood it!  Who?  What was that?  Something about Francesco?  

"Habemus Papam"

Slowly, the news filtered through the crowd...Jorge Mario Bergoglio?  From Agentina?  A Jesuit???  And he took the name Francesco?  Then, all the curtains on the balcony opened, the Cardinals came forth, and we got our first glimpse of the new Pope.

Francesco I

Some of the Cardinals

The Cardinals and the new Bishop of Rome

Francesco I then gave his blessing "Urbi et Orbi" - to the city of Rome and to the whole world.  This was, perhaps, the most moving for me.  He spoke of the "journey" that we are all on together.  We prayed an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be in Italian for Pope Emeritus Benedict.  Before giving us his blessing, he asked that all gathered pray that God's blessing be with him, and he asked for a silent prayer.  Kid you not, there were probably hundreds of thousands of people there, and the entire place was absolutely silent.  We're talking "hearing a pin drop" silent.  The only thing heard was a distant police siren...unreal! 

The Pontiff then gave us his blessing, and concluded with "Buona notte e Buon riposo" - "Good night and Sleep well."  An appropriate end to the evening in that, as I looked up, a few stars were starting to emerge from the cloudy skies.

From the big screen.

Still can't believe that I was there and took this picture.

Incredible.

St. Peter's Basilica

Once more the crowd erupted and the bells pealed (I understand even the bells in Dayton were ringing.)  We made our way through the crowd back near home where we enjoyed a celebratory meal of pizza and beer!  A good end to an extraordinary evening.

Toasting our new Pontiff.

It's getting late, and I'm sure I've forgotten things.  But, this is good for now.  I haven't even looked online yet, but I'm sure everyone is sizing Francesco up.  For now, let's just pray for God's many graces and blessings upon our new Pope, upon our Church, and upon all people of good will. 

Good night and sleep well, my friends!

Ciao!

Questions 4 and 5

Today, you get a special bonus:  two questions answered (well, sort of, you be the judge.)

Question #4: Where does the Pope shop?

You just don’t walk into Kohls and pick up a white cassock and red shoes off the rack.  (This is yet another reason why I could never be Pope.)  But, there is Gammarelli’s in Piazza Santa Chiara near the Pantheon.  It is the tailor shop that has been making vestments for the Pope for the last 100 years or so.  Not knowing who the next Pope will be, and seeing that he will need to be dressed quickly, they have prepared three white vestments of different sizes for the new Pope.  You can be sure there won’t be a wardrobe malfunction when the new pontiff steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s.  I was in the neighborhood, so I took a stroll past the shop.  All I could find was a hat (but notice that a Swiss Guard is protecting it.)

I wonder if they accept Visa?

I really wanted to ask "Can I try on the hat in the window?"

Of course, the biggest question being asked these days:

Question #5: Who will be the next Pope.

The answer to this question is quite easy…I haven’t a clue!  Everybody has their favorites and their picks.  So, to join in the fun, I offer my “dream team” of candidates.  Now, I have to first say that I don’t really know anything about the individual Cardinals.  My list is solely self-serving.  And, so I offer it in all fun.  Here we go…

(In decreasing order):

5)  Cardinal Agnelo of Brazil.  The website www.newadvent.org has a “Buzz-Meter” that ranks the Cardinals based upon buzz in the press.  It has, in my opinion, very little relevance because it could be good or bad buzz.  At any rate, this Cardinal is ranked number 115 right now.  (Remember, there are 115 voting Cardinals.)  He’s like the last kid to be picked for kickball.  He's on my list because, if elected, I could say, “Told you so.”

4)  Cardinal Ouellette of Canada.  He presided at the prayer service of St. Kateri that I went to.  If elected, I could say I prayed with the Pope.

Slightly embarrassing: I think this is Cardinal Ouellette, but I'm not sure.

3) Cardinal O’Malley of Boston.  If elected, perhaps the brothers would stop making fun of me for how many times I say “Boston” in stories.  Also, he presided at a chapel dedication at the Jesuit Scholasticate in Boston where I lived.  I played piano for the mass.  If elected, I could say I played for the Pope.

Chapel blessed by Cardinal O'Malley (or the future Pope)

2) Cardinal Sepe of Naples.  I got him from www.adoptacardinal.org (No joke, it exists).  If elected, I could say that my prayers helped elect the Pope (okay, not really the intent of the website, but fun all the same.)

I don't have a picture of Cardinal Sepe.  But, Naples is known for pizza, so here's a pizza (unfortunately the pizza is from Mantova, but it was really delicious.)

1) Cardinal Collins of Toronto.  He was also at the St. Kateri prayer service, and I got a picture with him.

With Fr. Louis and the Cardinal (you can figure out who is who.)

But, he also stopped by our house last Saturday for pranzo (lunch).  He is friends with Marianist Fr. Louis who invited him.  I must say, if your image of a Cardinal is a stuffy, out of touch bureaucrat, then he doesn’t fit the mold.  He seems to be a very down-to-earth fellow, and told us that one of the most difficult tasks for him during the Conclave will be giving up his cell phone, ipad, and Kindle.  So, if he is elected, I could say that I had lunch with the Pope.

I got to sit at the grown-ups table.

It was also Bro. Ed's birthday celebration that day. 

Bro. Javi was quite impressed that the Cardinal had an IPhone 5!

 So there are my "picks."  We should be all set, as long as the Holy Spirit reads my blog!

Ciao!

Arrivederci, Benedetto

From the rooftop terrazzo of the Marianist Generalate house (where I live), you are able to see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

A few minutes before 5:00 Rome time (11:00 on the East Coast of the U.S.) I climbed the stairs, and with a few other Brothers, watched as the helicopter that carried Pope Benedict XVI rise from the Vatican.  It passed not too far from our house as it made its way to the Papal residence at Castel Gandolfo just outside of Rome where Benedict will reside during the upcoming Conclave.  Call me a "Vatican-watcher" now if you want, but it was pretty cool (only way I can describe it right now) to be living and seeing a part of history in the making.

Now, we all know that at 8:00 in Rome tonight, Pope Benedict will officially resign, creating a "sede vacante" (vacant seat) of the Chair of Peter.  The fisherman's ring will be destroyed, Benedict will be known as Pope Emeritus, and the Church will not have a Pope.  (Also, at this time I'm assuming that Benedict will make the switch from his red shoes to brown ones.)  We also know that the Pope has decided to spend the rest of his days in an apostolate of prayer and study, eventually residing in a small "monastery" on the grounds of the Vatican Gardens.  Today as he met one last time with the Cardinals, he pledged his "reverence and obedience" to the next Pope.

With the help of a few friends, I have compiled a list of suggestions for Benedict as he begins to find some extra time on his hands.  Of course, I offer you these in a spirit of lightheartedness and fun.

Things that Pope Emeritus Benedict can now do since he’s retired:

1) Go fishing for fish.
2) Not have to repeat everything in six languages.  (But he’ll probably still keep the Latin just to surprise folks)
3) Wear a plaid flannel cassock and fuzzy slippers.
4) Feed the goldfish in the Vatican Garden fountains.
5) Won’t have to duck when going through short doorways.
6) Can finally get caught up on Downton Abbey. 
7) Make the switch from Prada to Dolce & Gabbana shoes. 
8) Throw a coin in the Trevi fountain after having a bit of gelato. 
9) Annoy the Sisters in the monastery by saying “I’m retired, Baby” in his best Dick Vitale voice. 
10) Take the Pope-Mobile out for a spin on the Autobahn. 
11) Start a reality show called “Vatican Idol" which searches for the best Gregorian Chanter. 
12) Enjoy La Dolce Vita
 

A historical day

I'm sure many of you heard or saw news reports from Pope Benedict's last general audience as Pope before he retires on February 28 at 8:00 PM.  Probably most of you heard that there were around 150,000 people inside and around St. Peter's Square to hear the Pontiff give one last catechesis and blessing.  So, I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I just have to say...

I WAS THERE!  

and

IT WAS PRETTY COOL!

Okay, got that out of the way.  I must say, it was a pleasure and a joy to be in the crowd.  From a simple historical point of view, this isn't something that happens very often (or really ever at all).  I have been reflecting on how lucky I am to be in Rome during this time.  No matter your religious beliefs or feelings of the Church and Papacy at this time, I think most would agree that this is a historically unique moment.  As I said in an earlier post, I am struck with how much attention the Vatican continues to garner in a western world that is becoming more and more secularized.  For those who share the Catholic faith, this is not only a historic moment for the Church, but also a  time for deep reflection and prayer, as well as a time to give thanks to God and look forward in hope.  It is a time of great grace. 

So, let me share about the day.

It started normally with our community mass at 6:00.  (Yes, that is our normal time!).  After a quick breakfast, 8 of us left the house at 7:00.  (Now remember, the Audience starts at 10:30).  We hopped on a bus, then on the subway to the stop near the Vatican.  Our rector had waited in line for two hours the day before to pick up the tickets we had reserved.  But, even with the tickets we were not guaranteed a seat.  In fact, my ticket number was 64,081...and, yes, I think they're printed sequentially.  Before entering the Square, we stopped in a sea of people outside the colonnade that circles the square.  I figured we had reached our final destination.  However, the crowd was moving, and as it turns out, we were allowed through security and into the Square.  In fact, as we entered, they just opened up the "second section" and we were able to find front row seating in our section which meant we would be very near the pathway that the Pope would take.  Needless to say, we had awesome seats. 

The crowds starting to gather in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

With Bros. Dani, Nereo, Bosco and Javier.

Also in our group, Bro. Les and Frs. Andre and Pachi.

I passed the two and a half hours of waiting by reading a book (yes, school work...I think the Pope would be proud), meeting two journalism students from Chicago who were sent to cover the story for Northwestern University, and talking with the Swiss Guard who was near our seats.  It was fascinating to talk with him.  Some interesting facts about the Swiss Guards:

• You must be Swiss and Catholic
• The guards serve for two years, and new recruits are brought in three times a year
• Every year, there is a special audience with the Pope to meet the current Guards and their parents
• The Swiss Guards are there to guard the Pope (not the Vatican, per se).  When Benedict leaves the Vatican, he will go to Castel Gandolfo in the nearby hills.  There will be Guards present until 8:00 (his time of retirement).  At that point, the Guards will (technically) leave because there will not be a Pope to protect.  Their mission changes to serve and protect the Cardinal-electors until a new Pope is elected.
• He mentioned that this is a somewhat stressful time (for many reasons) because, given the secrecy and the Conclave procedure, no one knows when a new Pope will be named.  They will have probably less than an hour to get ready for thousands of people to enter the Square when white smoke is seen.
• It was interesting to watch him interact with the many people trying to get around the barricade he was watching.  Folks come up with any story to try to get a better seat.  He held fast.  He also told us that the priests are very difficult because they think they own the place, and that the Italian Sisters can be quite forceful!  

Our friend Peter the Swiss Guard.

At 10:30, the festivities began.  The Pope entered in his Pope-mobile and made a circuit through the crowd to cheers of "Viva Papa" and "Benedetto, Benedetto." 

There were also all kinds of flags.

 From our position, we were about five feet away from where he passed.  Pretty cool! 

I tried to get a picture, but Javier's hands got in the way.

Ahhh, there's the money shot!  By the way, no zoom on the camera!  We were that close.

Just one more.

The Audience began with a reading from the book of Colossians about  gratitude, read in several languages.  Then, the Pope offered some reflections.  He pretty much said "Thank You" to God and to all people for their prayers and support.  He also said that his pontificate has had the good and the bad.  Using the image of the Apostles fishing in the boat, he said there were days of calm seas and sun, but also days of rough seas and storms.  Maybe my favorite line was: "I always knew that the Lord was in this boat, and I always knew that the boat of the Church is not mine, is not ours, but it is the Lord's." Words of strong faith and humility!  He also repeated the motivations for his choice of resignation - given his health, it is for the good of the Church.  Finally, he commented that he would continue to serve the Church through a life of prayer in the footsteps of his namesake, St. Benedict (the Father of western monasticism).  He is "not abandoning the cross, just resting in a new manner near to the cross."  Good words for all of us to hear.

Believe it or not, the Pope is up there under the canopy.  Even though the picture doesn't show it, we were pretty close all things considered.  But, my binoculars did help, too.

He repeated his message (in a much shorter form) in several languages.  Then, he led the crowd in singing the Our Father and imparted his blessing upon us - extending it to our families and all loved ones back home.  So, consider yourself blessed!  All I can say at this point, was that it was quite moving to be there.  I think I'm still processing the enormity of what I witnessed today. 

We all have our opinions about Pope Benedict XVI.  We have all heard the many criticisms (some of them not unfounded.)  But, what I saw today was a man of great humility and courage.  This could not have been an easy choice (and not popular with some).  It was unprecedented!  But, it is also a lesson in knowing our own limitations and in remembering that the Pope is a human and a human office.  I really believe that he will lead the rest of his life in solitude and prayer - the fears of having "two popes" or "two spiritual guides" are unfounded in my opinion.  At this point, I know very little about the theology of Joseph Ratzinger.  But, my hunch is that we can learn much from him, simply from these last few days. 

And now, we wait for white smoke.

A Cardinal from Germany came down to greet some German pilgrims.  Who knows, maybe this is a picture of the next Pope!

And, of course, the Germans brought a band.

Bro. Dani took a few videos.  Here are links to them:

Video #1: My musings on what was going on inside the Vatican.

Video #2: This is in Italian, but Bro. Dani says he could be taking the video of the first American Pope, and I respond that I'm reading a book on the Acts of the Apostles.  If I'm going to be Pope, I probably need to know this stuff.


Ciao!