Sunday’s Angelus Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI
This morning I went to St. Peter’s Square for Pope Benedict XVI’s first Sunday Angelus Blessing in Rome, since I have been in Italy. Up until today, he has hosted the Angelus blessing at his summer residence, Castelgandolfo, which is located outside of the city of Rome. Prior to the Angelus, the Holy Father celebrated Mass at the High Altar in the Pontifical Basilica of St. Peter. He was welcoming the African Synod, which will begin later this week. It was a busy day for our Holy Father, but it was nice to see him from his Papal Apartment at noon for his message and blessing. Below are some pictures from the morning.
The North American College's soccer field from the window
This is the view from my window at the North American College if I lean really far and look to the right.
The dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
Here are a few of the statues of saints that overlook the pilgrims when they visit St. Peter's Square.
Two bishops walk among the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, after Mass with Pope Benedict XVI. The Mass was in preparation for the African Synod beginning this week in Rome.
Another picture of the two bishops wading through the crowds of pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.
Two sisters discuss their experience of Mass with Pope Benedict XVI and prepare for the Holy Father's Sunday Angelus message to the pilgrims.
Pope Benedict XVI approaches the podium for his weekly Sunday Angelus message.
Pope Benedict XVI asked for everyone's prayers as the African Synod begins this week in Rome.
Pilgrims cheer for Pope Benedict XVI during his Sunday Angelus message.
Pilgrims cheer for Pope Benedict XVI.
Seminarians from the North American College sang for pilgrims following the Holy Father's address and Angelus Blessing in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Benedict XVI
Yesterday was a very special day for all of the first year seminarians at the Pontifical North American College. We were able to travel to Pope Benedict XVI’s summer residence, Castelgandolfo, for his Sunday Angelus address, prayer, and blessing upon the pilgrims. There were two full charter buses that transported us to the papal palace and we then entered a private entrance into the Papal Garden. It was very exciting to know that I was getting ready to see the Holy Father! When we departed the buses, we were free to walk around a little in the shade before moving to the public area of the palace. When we finally started walking towards to the piazza, we had to move to one side to let a car through. It was the Pope’s private car, but he wasn’t in it. Oh well!
We finally were able to position ourselves into the cortile (courtyard) next to one of the walls. There was so much excitement in the air as the minutes ticked away. Finally, just moments before the Pope came into view, the Swiss Guard stood at attention and everyone roared with cheers. Then Pope Benedict stepped out onto the balcony. Check out the video of the Papal Address by clicking here. Skip to 10 minutes and 50 seconds to see his special address to us and also for our class’ tradition of singing “Ad Multos Annos” for the first time to the Holy Father. It was an amazing experience and I will never forget it.
After the Papal Audience, we went to a restaurant that is a few blocks from the papal palace for Pranzo (lunch). It was a nice meal and we had a beautiful view of the lake that lies below the papal palace. After Pranzo, we were invited to tour the Papal Gardens by Archbishop James Harvey, Prefecture of the Papal Household. It was a great tour, but more importantly it made Pope Benedict XVI seem more real. I was walking on the path that we would walk on later that afternoon. I remember looking at several trees and thinking, “I wonder if Pope Benedict ever looks at that tree?”
We finished the tour by stopping at the statue of Mary that Pope Benedict XVI goes to every evening, while in Castelgandolfo, in order to pray the rosary with his two assistants. We were told that he prays there every evening at a specific time. Therefore, I was able to know that in less than one hour after leaving that spot, the Pope would come and pray there. WOW! That is mind bending!
It was a wonderful day and meant a lot to be in such close proximity to Christ’s vicar on Earth.
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- Me, Jason Doke, Ryan Browning, and David Esquiliano waiting to see Pope Benedict XVI.
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- Pope Benedict’s Car
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- Me and Msgr. Checchio before the Papal Angelus.
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- Moments before seeing the Pope!
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- Pope Benedict XVI gave a short talk on the importance of families.
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- This lake is behind the papal palace.
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- Walking through the papal gardens.
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- That was cool!
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- Archbishop Harvey feeds the fish near the place where Pope Benedict prays the rosary everyday.
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- We prayed the “Hail Holy Queen” prayer just one hour before Pope Benedict would pray the rosary from the same spot.
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- Msgr. Mueggenborg, Archbishop Harvey, and Msgr. Checchio moments before we entered the cortile.
