Castelgandolfo 15 August 2011
After last year's once-in-a-lifetime experience at Castelgandolfo I just knew I had to try my luck again this year. As all who have been blessed enough to have seen Papa close up or even shake his hand know, you do get addicted to the experience and you want it again and again and again...
So off I went and met up in CG with benedetto.fan (who'll kill me for telling you, not because she doesn't want anyone to know but because she hates for people to pester her to post her photos quickly - sorry carissima
![[SM=g27828]](https://im0.freeforumzone.it/up/0/28/9572832.gif)
) and some other German ladies (not active members of the forum but long-standing Benaddicts).
As we get to the barriers at 5.30 am while it's still dark we are among the first there, while - some things never change - our Bavarian friend with the white baseball cap and her 'shadow' are there already of course. A little later Mary, an Irish friend of our Mary, also arrives. We take up our positions at the exact same place as last year hoping Papa will go through the same routine also shaking people's hands before entering the San Tommaso church.
As daylight arrives and the activity gathers pace one of the first to arrive is Msgr. Marini
followed by the 'usual suspects' like Bishop Harvey and the Swiss guard commandant:
As the Memores Domini sisters make their way to the church I remember with sadness how last year Manuela Camagni was still among them, and I can't bring myself to take a picture.
Then it's the turn of dear Msgr. Georg Ratzinger. Very very slowly he walks down the street, aided by his usual helper and two walking sticks. Despite his much deteriorated condition he smiles happily as he is greeted by warm applause.
A few minutes later the excitement reaches fever pitch as the papal party emerge from the palace. As we are standing quite far down the street almost opposite the entrance of San Tommaso church our view is blocked for the first few moments and we can only see what's going on by looking at the video screen. Then he comes into view for real.
Our hearts are beginning to sink as we notice that Papa moves along without going over to people to shake their hands for the first several metres. I try to take pictures but it's really really hard as Papa is shielded so closely by the security people, they are almost constantly completely surrounding him, not just walking next to and behind him. I notice that the atmosphere was much more relaxed in this respect last year, so these pics are the best I could manage at this stage:
All our hopes and dreams seem to be fulfilled as Papa then starts moving closer to the barriers and taking people's hands all the same. By doing this he disappears from sight again and the next thing I know is that Papa is suddenly 'upon us'. Someone holds a baby up to him next to me. He takes the baby's head in his hands and kisses it. His left hand is virtually only inches away from my face at this point and I cannot resist to stroke it. Such a tender moment which I'll treasure for ever.
I extend my hand and he actually takes it! Wow, what can I say? I think no words can describe what you feel at this moment. A mixture of awe, elation and utter love. I say a few words of encouragement to him which he acknowledges with a slight nod of the head and the characteristic lowering of his eye lids. Far too soon the magic moment passes. The actual handshake was not captured by the photographers but I'm more than happy with these shots from Felici:
As Papa moves on the 'shock' of what I've just experienced hits me full force and I'm so overcome with emotion the tears just stream down my face. This is noticed by Msgr. Xuereb who's walking a little behind Papa. He asks in German why I'm in tears but I cannot manage a proper reply. He obviously thinks something's distressing me because then he says "
Wir gehen nicht weg, wir bleiben hier" (we're not going away, we're staying here). I have since thought quite a bit what he meant by this but I haven't come to a conclusion. Any suggestions? He then shakes my hand and wishes me well before moving on too. What a kind and considerate gesture. I wish we would see this kind and mild-mannered man at Papa's side far more often.
Shortly before the mass ends the mini popemobile (or rather papal golf cart) is driven up in front of the entrance of the church. We're rather surprised and a bit worried thinking Papa must be in a rather bad way if they won't let him walk back the short distance to the palace. Then as Msgr. Georg Ratzinger emerges we realise of course that it's meant for him as he is sensibly spared the painful walk back. This way the popemobile becomes the bro-mobile
Then Papa himself reappears and we get a few more - very short - photo opportunities:
While Papa then makes his way back up the street (going over and shaking the hands of those he didn't coming down) we speed up to near the entrance of the papal palace to catch a final glimpse of him before he disappears inside:
(To be continued with some photos of the Angelus).
For now, good night!
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