Wednesday is usually wordless and I was definitely speechless today! We woke up very early – around 5:45am to get ready to walk over to St. Peter’s square for the general audience with the Pope. We had picked up our tickets yesterday and were really hoping and praying to have good seats and maybe see the Pope up close while he drove around St. Peter’s square.

For those of you who may have attended one of the Pope’s general audiences then you might know about the crowds – generally everyone is lovely but there are masses of tours with tour guides determined to get good seats for their tourists at any cost! They are shoving people and pushing their way – I had one such guide near me who pushed my mum out of the way and separated us in line but we agreed if this happened to go near the top right hand corner of the left hand side. I was fortunate to be near the gate when it opened and got through security quickly with my mum several people behind me – I turned around and said I’m going to run and I took off like a shot, running with the crowds. This run paid off and we got front row seats!! I was thrilled! My husband had gotten separated from us earlier and was behind us in the crowd.

The experience was moving and we shared it with some lovely people from Casa de la Divina Voluntad. Here are Michael and my besties from today!!

Here are Michael’s best two of the Pope’s arrival!

Unfortunately I got bumped right when he passed us and I was also trying to wave my papal flag but I still like his expression!

These last two are Michael’s best from the Pope departure!

It was such a great experience and who knows if we will ever get such good seats again! I am so grateful for such beautiful weather and such a great morning!