Friday, March 29, 2013

White Smoke at the Vatican

About two weeks ago I was lucky to experience history in the making.

On Wednesday March 13 th at around 6:30 pm I was skyping one of my best friends from home. I remembered that earlier that day one of my teachers mentioned that today was probably going to be the day that they chose the new Pope. I decided to check the ABC news updates because they had been keeping an eye on the smoke and everything happening at the Vatican City. At 6:58 they updated that there was white smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel.

I jumped up from my bed and told Raelynn that we HAD to go down and see it. I called Steph and Kristen and they wanted to go to the Vatican as well. Raelynn and I jumped on to the tram and met Kristen and Steph at the bus. It was packed! Everyone had the same idea. We got off the bus and started running to St. Peter's square. All four of us were so excited!!

Once we turned the corner and were able to see the square we were stunned by the sea of people. We linked arms so no one would get lost in the crowd. We made it to the obelisk in the center of the square.   Once we were satisfied with a spot we stopped and were taking pictures non-stop.

Then once the new Pope, Pope Francis, came out and started speaking everyone went silent. You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. For me the best, most amazing moment of the whole thing was when he started saying the "Our Father" in italian. The whole crowd joined in on the prayer. It was beautiful.

After Pope Francis finished talking and left the balcony people began to spread out, news stations started interviewing people, and everyone was just happy. It was incredible that a moment like this could bring so many people together in a loving, happy, and trusting way.

I don't think I'll ever experience a moment like this again in my life and I will forever remember and appreciate it.