Day 11

Yesterday we were up by 6am and headed to the Vatican for the audience with the pope. We arrived by 7am and there were already crowds of people waiting at each of the entrances. Our tickets were "special", but we didn't know what that meant until later. Everyone pushed each other because they wanted to get through security and have the best possible chance to see the pope up close. The layout of the audience is the stage on the stairs to St. Peter's basilica with small sections of chairs on either side and then two large sections of chairs in front of the stage area. We found out that our special tickets got us in to the right side of the stage section, which was really cool because you need special permission from a bishop to sit there. At 9:30 an announcer started reading off the names of all of the groups in attendance. Eventually, they got to the English speaking countries and gave a special welcome to DePaul. The popes comes out after and rides around in the divisions between the sections in his popemobile. There is lovely organ music to accompany his ride. His sermon was about the last judgment and how we shouldn't be fearful of it. Even though it seems terrifying, the scripture gives many examples for why it's a good thing. One very important reason is because we will finally be able to join Jesus in heaven. 

Here is a picture of the pope during the audience. 

It was really cool to see how many people came to see the pope at the audience. There were so many Italian communities that would come together and bring signs. It seemed like their communities really bonded over being able to experience the audience with the pope together. I liked how the sermon was about the last judgement because we learned about Michaelangelo's portrayal of the gospel in class. The fresco is not a happy painting on the lower half at all. We see bodies that are being dragged to hell or being pushed away from heaven. Towards the middle are the martyrs and many of the tools they were killed with. The sermon stated how the last judgement shouldn't be terrifying even though it can be perceived that way. This is portrayed very well in the painting because we want to be with the angels in the top of the painting, but fear we may fall and join the devil. The cross that is stationed in front of the cave is a perfect representation of how God is protecting us from hell.