We board soon so I had better be quick!
Rome has been overwhelming in many ways. I had lunch yesterday with Cardinal Pell, yes, you read that correctly. Someone in our tour group is related to him somehow so our group got to go along and meet him and have lunch together!
Just when you think you can't top an experience something else amazing presents itself.
The first morning in Rome was Friday. We were up early, 5 am, so that we could celebrate Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, yes you read that correctly. You know the place near where the Pope lives? It is such a rare and special thing not to mention truly beautiful. Photographs just do not do it justice.
After Mass we met with our tour guide, Igor. We toured The Colosseum, the Roman ruins, The Roman Forum and The Piazza della Republica. We had lunch at the Pantheon followed by a tour of The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, or in Italian because everything sounds better in Italian, Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
This Church was built in 1562 AD and if you don't know about it I recommend you read something on it, especially the "meridian line" and the impetus for the construction and dedication of the Church. After this we returned to The Vatican where we actually went into the Sistine Chapel. The "Last Judgement", Michelangelo's masterpiece sprawled across the ceiling was a surreal feast for my retinas. Many beautiful artworks filled my eyes but that is where they will have to stay as we were not allowed to photograph them.
The day finished with a tour of Saint Peter's Square, gelato and the fuzzy exhaustion that comes from such an amazing experience.
Blessed to report that it was also a very prayerful day.
I was honoured to say prayers for Fr Kim, Cecile Santos, Michelle Nouris, Pusong Family, Roth and Ricardo, Santina Piras, Luis Teixeira, several anonymous intentions and a personal prayer for my own family.
Yesterday, Saturday we attended Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli in the morning. In the afternoon we walked about Rome before having lunch with Cardinal Pell. (Who was taller in person than I thought he'd be).
We are being called to board our flight so I need to close. Next time I write I will be in Poland! First stop Warsaw and sometime today I will get to see and pray at the famous Black Madonna.
Ciao Italia! Dio vi benedica tutti or in English, God Bless you all! Kristina 😇