Well the big news of course has been the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI. It's been on our TV continually and tonight I've sat and watched the whole show. The pomp and ceremony was reminiscent of a royal wedding or funeral. Even at school we were affected as one staff member took the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to flit to Rome to witness the spectacle. Her boyfriend works at the Vatican as a journalist and he has written the memoirs of the Pope. No doubt he will have to alter the end now.
As the news broke two weeks ago announcing the Pope's decision it overtook even the Syrian crisis here. I am constantly amazed at how much coverage we have of Christian events in a Muslim country. So you'll be pleased to know that we are not starved of news or have our news censored. However, many websites are blocked due to inappropriate content, including one I was looking at about the Pope. We have BBC & CNN TV coverage so see most news (even the recent shark attack in NZ made the news here).
As the countdown continued to this momentous event we have been updated, leading up to the Pope's final mass then his final address in St Peter's square to thousands of faithful.
It's amazing to think that I've visited the places that I am viewing and have stood there, both in the square and inside the church. It makes the moment more personal and poignant.
Watching the Pope being farewelled by his staff as he left the Vatican was an emotional moment for many but it barely registered compared to the emotion felt during his final speech on arrival at Castel Godolfo, the Pope's summer residence where he is spending the next two months while his new residence (apparently a gardener's cottage) in the Vatican Gardens is prepared.
I am continually amazed at what I learn each day and today it was that Pope Benedict XVI was a pilot who enjoyed getting hold of the controls during his annual flight to the Castel. However, today he was a passenger, compliments of the Italian Airforce.
I was shocked to see how frail the Pope had become and can understand his decision to step down from such a position of power. This shows the true measure of the man as he puts the future of the church before any personal need for gratification. I am sure the Catholics among you will have many opinions on this unique undertaking so feel free to add comments to this blog to enhance my understanding.
As the helicopter flew the final journey of Pope Benedict it passed over many Roman landmarks beginning with a circuit above the Vatican. It flew dangerously low over the city but it was a spectacular sight as it flew over the Colosseum and other historic buildings. As it approached the airport it appeared to be landing as it hovered so low over the runway (obviously nothing else was flying in Rome at that moment) but then it lifted and continued on its journey.
The crowd of 10,000 in the square outside Castel Godolfo silenced as the helicopter landed then cheered as the motorcade approached and the Pope exited the vehicle. Very quickly he appeared on the balcony and gave his famous wave. His final speech to the people was emotional, both for the Pope and the crowd with many wiping tears from their eyes. As he disappeared from public view, his Papal banner was removed from sight forever. I imagine it will be destroyed along with his Papal ring.
The absence of his red shoes as he left the helicopter was noticable as was the fact that he was no longer wearing his red cape. Another piece of information I found out was that the red shoes and cape were gifted to the Pope. It has been commonly believed that the red shoes were Prada but that myth was smashed by a interview with CNN.
Monsignor Irwin gave the CNN audience the real story. “They are red shoes given to him because Constantine gave him the privileges of being an emperor and he allowed him to wear red shoes and a red cape,” he said. “Frankly the Papal shoemaker is up the block. And it’s not Prada. So the devil may have worn Prada but not this Pope.”
As the news broke two weeks ago announcing the Pope's decision it overtook even the Syrian crisis here. I am constantly amazed at how much coverage we have of Christian events in a Muslim country. So you'll be pleased to know that we are not starved of news or have our news censored. However, many websites are blocked due to inappropriate content, including one I was looking at about the Pope. We have BBC & CNN TV coverage so see most news (even the recent shark attack in NZ made the news here).
As the countdown continued to this momentous event we have been updated, leading up to the Pope's final mass then his final address in St Peter's square to thousands of faithful.
It's amazing to think that I've visited the places that I am viewing and have stood there, both in the square and inside the church. It makes the moment more personal and poignant.
Watching the Pope being farewelled by his staff as he left the Vatican was an emotional moment for many but it barely registered compared to the emotion felt during his final speech on arrival at Castel Godolfo, the Pope's summer residence where he is spending the next two months while his new residence (apparently a gardener's cottage) in the Vatican Gardens is prepared.
I am continually amazed at what I learn each day and today it was that Pope Benedict XVI was a pilot who enjoyed getting hold of the controls during his annual flight to the Castel. However, today he was a passenger, compliments of the Italian Airforce.
I was shocked to see how frail the Pope had become and can understand his decision to step down from such a position of power. This shows the true measure of the man as he puts the future of the church before any personal need for gratification. I am sure the Catholics among you will have many opinions on this unique undertaking so feel free to add comments to this blog to enhance my understanding.
As the helicopter flew the final journey of Pope Benedict it passed over many Roman landmarks beginning with a circuit above the Vatican. It flew dangerously low over the city but it was a spectacular sight as it flew over the Colosseum and other historic buildings. As it approached the airport it appeared to be landing as it hovered so low over the runway (obviously nothing else was flying in Rome at that moment) but then it lifted and continued on its journey.
The crowd of 10,000 in the square outside Castel Godolfo silenced as the helicopter landed then cheered as the motorcade approached and the Pope exited the vehicle. Very quickly he appeared on the balcony and gave his famous wave. His final speech to the people was emotional, both for the Pope and the crowd with many wiping tears from their eyes. As he disappeared from public view, his Papal banner was removed from sight forever. I imagine it will be destroyed along with his Papal ring.
The absence of his red shoes as he left the helicopter was noticable as was the fact that he was no longer wearing his red cape. Another piece of information I found out was that the red shoes and cape were gifted to the Pope. It has been commonly believed that the red shoes were Prada but that myth was smashed by a interview with CNN.
Monsignor Irwin gave the CNN audience the real story. “They are red shoes given to him because Constantine gave him the privileges of being an emperor and he allowed him to wear red shoes and a red cape,” he said. “Frankly the Papal shoemaker is up the block. And it’s not Prada. So the devil may have worn Prada but not this Pope.”
The red shoes have been replaced with brown leather ones made in Mexico on a visit last year. So a new life away from the public eye awaits this Pope.
I am struck by how, yet again, I am 'witness' to such a historic event and wonder what else will occur in my lifetime. Has history always been like this or is it modern technology that allows us to experience so much more?
I am struck by how, yet again, I am 'witness' to such a historic event and wonder what else will occur in my lifetime. Has history always been like this or is it modern technology that allows us to experience so much more?
These world wide major events sure mean more once you have actually been there, done that. When I went to visit the Pope in 2009 he was off having world peace talks in far off lands, The Vatican sure is incredible. I bet the local shops are selling plenty of souvenirs with photos of the Pope. I mean everyone needs a Pope Bracelet apparently.
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