Rome

I stayed in ROME for six weeks (December 1 to January 11) in an old tower built in 1250 to house the Vatican soldiers guarding the Ponte Sant'Angelo (the bridge). From the rooftop terrace we had great views of the Castel Sant'Angelo, just a few minutes walk from the Vatican. TJ visited me in Rome for three weeks and Robbie joined us for Christmas week. Needless to say, it was fun. (Read a description of our holidays in my Rome Travelogue)

Holidaze with the Boys

III Citizens in the Roman Forum ▼

TJ learns that the legendary Bocca de Veritas will bite the hand of those who do not always speak the truth. ►►

Christmas Eve, with Nativity figures on the mantle, 3 Befana dolls hanging just above my head and 3 Befana stockings ready to receive gifts (or lumps of coal). ▼▼

◄◄Robbie and the Bernini angels on the bridge in front of Castel Sant'Angelo.

BLESSINGS BY POPE JOHN PAUL II

On Christmas Eve, the Pope blesses everyone at Mass as he goes up the aisle of St. Peter's Basilica.

◄On Sunday at noon, the Pope sits in the window of his study (top floor, second window from right) and blesses crowd gathered in St. Peter's Piazza.

An audience with the Pope in Papal Audience Chamber next to St. Peter's. The Pope is still seated in the center of the stage, blessing pilgrims in wheelchairs (on right).

It was very special for me to be with my boys over the holidays, especially when they shared my delight in being able to see Pope John Paul II several times. Even in frailty near the end of his life, JPII radiated the inner strength of a dedicated person. I am certain he was pleased to see us in church.

◄However, the nun in the center of this group waiting for the Pope seems to demonstrate a somewhat less than spiritual response to seeing us in church. (This is in St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's Pieta is behind the curtain.)

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The Swiss Guards seemed a bit skeptical when TJ (hat in hand) and Robbie tried to convince them to let them go inside the Papal Offices to retrieve our tickets to attend Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.

Nativity Scene in the center of St. Peter's Piazza

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3 Wise Guys arrive at the manger scene a few days before the Epiphany.	The Christmas Tree is almost as tall as the ancient Egyptian (now Christian) Obelisk.	From the top of the dome of St. Peter's, looking over the Nativity Scene and Obelisk toward Castel Sant'Angelo by the Tiber River.

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