On Saturday a group of us went back to the Vatican and waited for over an hour until the special audience with the pope occurred in the Square. We had tickets this time so we were able to go into the central area of the Square and have a plastic seat to sit on. A band played while we waited and there was time to pray and people watch. Announcements are made of those in attendance, and they included our group from Loyola University Chicago in those announcements! Then the pope arrived in the Square and drove around twice so that the people could greet him with cheers, and he could smile and wave at them. What a happy, charismatic pope we have! It was hard to take pictures because of all the waving but I certainly got a wonderful view of him twice. I tried to say “hello” from all of you but I’m not sure he heard me! Once again he spoke of the unearned mercy which our loving God offers to all of us! Amen.
