Rome Day Three. A Walk Around The Vatican Before An Emotional And Solemn Mass Honoring Pope Francis
I was up early Saturday morning during my recent visit stay in Rome. I traveled to the Eternal City to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. The funeral would begin at 10 a.m. I wanted to receive the Sacraments of Confession and Communion during my stay and at the funeral. I was raised Catholic but I am now a more spiritual then a traditional Catholic. And, I will confess I had not received the sacraments since I attended Pope Francis ‘s Inaugural Mass 12 years ago. After a cup of coffee in my room I was on the streets of the city hoping to find a church somewhere near the Vatican giving confessions. 
I again walked past the ancient ruins of the Baths of Diocletian on my way to the Termini Metro station, . It was a sunny and cool Spring day. 
I walked down the stairs and escalators to the trains ,
and soon encountered the large crowds traveling to the funeral. Once again I shoved my way onto the train. Here I had another remarkable experience. I was pushed against a priest and I started a conversation. He was from India. He was with another priest from India and a third younger priest from Slovakia. We talked about Pope Francis and a few other subjects, including my 13 years of Catholic education. We became friends in a short time on the train ride from the Termini to the Ottaviano station. I learned Father Josh was a professor of Philosophy at the Salesian Pontifical University. I asked about where to have confession and he offered to hear my confession as we walked to the Vatican. It was a emotional and spiritual experience I will never forget. His advice in his absolution touched my mind, heart and soul. I had a warm feeling as we said farewell in the crowd. 
Having been able to receive my confession , I had some time before the funeral. It was 6:30 a.m. but I knew I was not going to get near Saint Peter’s Square for the funeral. People waited all night for that privilege. I knew, as I did when I attended John Paul II’s funeral, I would have watch the funeral mass in the large crowds on one of the many large screens set up around the Vatican. So I decided to take a walk around the Vatican in the three hours I had before the funeral began at 10 a.m. 
As soon as I was a short distance from Via Ottaviana the crowds disappeared..
Only a few people were walking toward Saint Peter’s Square. I walked along the towering ancient walls surrounding and protecting the Vatican and came to the large wooden doors of the Vatican Museum. 
This area brought back fond memories from when I stayed in a hotel near here on my last visit to Rome. It was when Pope Francis was chosen as Pope. I recalled the visits I made to the Museum and the remarkable historic treasures I saw on display. You could spend a lifetime roaming through this Museum.
I had never walked any further along these walls of Vatican City on my two previous visits to Rome . The walls were impressive. They enclosed the Vatican and protected it form invaders . I thought of the many wars that were fought over religion here in the Eternal City.
I walked along the walls and past mostly residences on the other side of the wall. There were many flower gardens in the yards,
with roses already in bloom. 
I followed the massive walls to a Via Auerlia,
where I saw some of the security around the Vatican for the funeral. I had thought I would have time take a quick hike in a nearby park but I realized it was further than I thought so I walked along Via Auerlia and around the Vatican walks to the entrance to Saint Peters Square. 
I walked through a nice upscale neighborhood with small grocery markets 
and flower shops. 
I enjoyed my walk through the quiet neighborhoods but soon came to busy Via Gergorio VII and encountered the crowds of people walking to the Vatican again.
I soon saw the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
I wanted to find a place to have quick breakfast. There were many shops in the neighborhoods but they only served pastry. I finally found a small restaurant which served breakfast, the Squili Bistro. Here I had a delicious cheese omelet and excellent coffee.
I left the restaurant and continued on Via Gregorio VII . I became wider as it neared the Vatican, And I once again encountered the large crowds of people heading to the funeral. 
The highway took me to a tunnel under a hill below the Pontifical University. 
As I walked through the tunnel, a parade of official cars escorted by police were driving the visiting heads of state and dignitaries to the funeral. I saw the flags of many nations furling in the wind as the cars zipped past. 
I soon came to a large crowd of people standing along the road. We were prevented from crossing as the steady parade of cars with the heads of state streamed past. 
We waited for almost a half hour and we became impatient as it it was getting near 10 a.m.. I really thought I might miss the start of the Mass. We were finally allowed to cross the road and proceed to the Vatican. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog website with some more photos from my walk to Pope Francis’s funeral mass. Rome Day Three . Walk To Pope Francis mass April 26 2025. 
I walked on Lungotevere in Sassia which took me along the scenic Tiber River. 
I came to a large screen in Piazza Pia and where the large crowds of people who were going to, like me, watch the funeral Mass. 
We were near the Tiber River here,
and there was security on the river,
and in the skies above,
helicopters constantly flew overhead before the mass began, 
I was able to get a little closer and stand on Via della Conciliazione. It was here I stood and watched solemn and moving funeral of our beloved Pope Francis.
Before the mass started I recalled the funeral mass of Pope John Paul which I attended in 2005,
and the cold, rainy night when I stood in Saint Peter’s Square and saw the white smoke rise into the dark skies and watching Pope Francis appear on the balcony and , address the crowd assembled below, and the world for the first time. I also attended Pope Francis’s inaugural Mass. I felt I had to be here for his funeral a short 12 year later. 
The Mass was in Latin so I didn’t understand the words but it brought me back to my earliest years when there were Latin and Polish masses in my parish church, Transfiguration, in West Hazleton,Pensylvania. 
Life is short, and while standing watching the mass, I reflected on this as I gathered with a million people from around our small and fragile planet to honor the life of this great and humble man.
He taught us to love each other,and to enjoy this short life we have. And to love not only each other, because but that God created, not only our fellow men and women but this beautiful planet, and it’s natural resources that were Created for us. The entire crowd, like me, were totally attentive during the mass. I was able to receive Communion from one of the hundreds of priests who came out into the crowd. The two hour mass was beautiful.. It was a fitting tribute to this great and humble man. I was blessed to be there. It is an experience I will never forget. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog website with some more photos from the Pope Francis’s funeral mass. Rome Day Three . Pope Francis funeral mass April 26 2025. 
“Some people want to know why I wished to be called Francis. For me, Francis of Assisi is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.” Pope Francis
“ISN’T HUMANITY committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature? “Pope Francis Argentine weekly “Viva”, published July 27, 2014
“THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS, the corrupt businessmen, and the corrupt clergy, are to be found everywhere – and we have to tell the truth: corruption is precisely the sin that the person with authority – whether political, economic, or ecclesiastical – over others has most readily at hand. We are all tempted to corruption. It is a “handy” sin, for, when one has authority, one feels powerful, one feels almost like God…The only way to escape corruption, the only way to overcome the temptation to – the sin of – corruption, is service… Corruption is pride, arrogance – and service humiliates you. [It is] humble charity to help others.Pope” Francis. Mass in Santa Marta, June 16, 2014
.
Tags
Categories
Recent Comments