Letter from the Pope's peeps

About 2 months before our trip to Rome, we sent a letter to the Papal office in Rome, hoping to get free tickets to the Papal address. The Office only receives faxes or snail mail and even though we tried to fax, in the end we used the trusty snail mail. What's up with not using email???

In early April, we received our official letter from the Vatican confirming our attendance at the Papal address on Wednesday, April 29. Some of our closests friends are either gasping or picking their jaw from the ground.....but, when in Rome.....why not?

Our day started by picking up our tickets from the Bronze Doors. Yes, they are bronze. And you are greeted by a nice fellow in a rather colorful outfit. Unfortunately, I had to wait as only one person is allowed through the doors. W!

I think Chuck's grandma and grandpa Peeters will be excited to hear we saw the Pope (and we also visited his church in Munich last summer).

We were told the gates opened at 8am and that the Pope would arrive at 10:30. We were up early because it was a sunny morning and walked to Trevi fountain and the Pantheon for some nice early morning pictures. We were at the Vatican by around 8:15 and the scene was mobs of people. By 8:30 we were seated about 30 rows back in the first section at the bottom of the ramp.

There was a couple sitting near us, and from their accent, I would guess from Ireland. She asked us what time 'the show' started. The guy kind of grimmaced when Chuck said 10:30. About 5 minutes later they stood up and as they walked out she said to me....'I guess we're not that devoted.' I almost died laughing!!!!

UPDATE: I forgot to add that the bells at the St. Peter's Basilica need a little tune up. They have a pleasant, ding dong, ding dong, ding, duuuung. Each time, Chuck would say 'sour!' Grandma Geraldine was probably chuckling.

Here are some pictures.