"Andiamo la messa"

Day #4 started off with us all packing up our bags. We wanted to be ready to head out as soon as we got back to our hostel post-Mass. Bags packed, us girls headed to the train station. We waited...and waited...and waited. The boys were notorious throughout the trip for being LATE for our meeting times. As it was the last day, and we were NOT missing Mass, we left without them. If they wanted to go, in our minds, they'd meet us there. We made our way to the subway and took it all the way over to Vatican City, yet again. We walked into St. Peter's Square to find the line much more manageable and actually moving. The sun was even, slightly, out! We patiently waited as we got shuffled into the Basilica. (Picture at right is right outside, before getting into the line which you can see way in the background, right up against the Basilica)

Our friends the night before had told us that we needed to tell the guards (who stopped people from going from the front of the Basilica into the nave - or area where the Mass takes place) "andiamo la messa" or "we're going to mass" to allow them to let us through. After staring in awe at the ceiling, the sculptures and Michelangelo's beautiful Baldacchino in the middle of the Basilica, we made our way through the crowd gathered at this separation point - between the rest of the Basilica and the area for mass. We worked our way through the people and up to the guards. The phrase worked like magic, the guards let us through, to the bewilderment of the other people who had been waiting. They didn't have priest friends on the inside! Ha! (Below top - The Pietà sculpted by Michelangelo; middle below is Bernini's Baldacchino; the bottom photo is Bernini's Cattedra Petri and Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament which is behind the altar.)

The first mass was finishing up, so we slowly made our way up the side of the pews and as soon as the people started filing out, we made our way in and into one of the middle pews. Within a few minutes we spotted one of our priest friends from the night before as well as the boys sheepishly making their way up the aisle. Mass started pretty quick. It was all in Latin, which I had never heard before. The hymns were also all in Latin, and we all just listened and took in the beauty of the church. I didn't have any idea what the homily was about (if only I knew Italian!) but I was enjoying the beautiful music and the gorgeous view of the church. After mass we tried to make our way outside as quick as possible - to get a spot that provided a view of the Pope's Apartments, from where he would be speaking. We came out to a PACKED St. Peter's Square! It held thousands of people - 150,000 was the estimation from the media. (see right) We found out later that there were a few different groups there that day, protesting certain beliefs/messages the Pope had recently brought to light within the Catholic church.

We found a spot where we could see and then the Pope started speaking. He spoke a few different languages throughout his speech - all heard through speakers throughout the Square - talking to 'his people' in the Square. Every now and then we would see his arm sticking out his window, blessing those in the Square. From our view we could only see his arm, so all my pictures have this little white-robed arm sticking out of the window. (See left) I even took a video - so neat to think we were listening to the Pope himself.

After he was finished speaking, it took over 45 minutes to leave the Square. There were just SO MANY people! We also got separated, AGAIN, from the boys. We had already set a time to meet up for our bus to the airport, so we took our time and walked back. WALKING took quite a long time, but we knew with the crowds, the subway would have taken quite awhile. It was fun to see all the sights of Rome, one last time, on the way back to the hostel. Our final stop was to grab one last gelato! (see right)

Once back at the hostel, we grabbed our bags and headed to the train station - where the shuttle buses were located. Without any issues, we all made in onto the bus and to the airport. The lines at the airport didn't take long, and before we knew it - we were airborne and headed back home. As always, getting from the airport...to the train station...to home takes QUITE awhile, but we managed to make it back to Maastricht safe and still tasting the foods of Italy on our tongues. Or maybe just me. :)