Vatican City eyewitnesses

A great honor
I am a 42-year-old American living in Italy. I have been here for two years. It has been a great honor in my life to have been able to be a part of what has happened these last few days in Rome. I live near Padua, and on Monday the first, we decided we would answer Giovanni Paulo's call to Rome. We packed food and water in the car and blankets. as we started driving to Rome it became very apparent that we were not alone. We saw cars from all over Europe, bus upon busload of people all heading to Rome. We were lucky, having family member in Rome who had room for us to stay. Many didn't have this luxury.

The next day, we entered the line of pilgrims at 7 a.m. This is where our journey truly began. It was amazing, never have I felt so much a part of humanity. When we started out we were next to some women with their small children. Slowly we moved onward together and people stared talking to the ones next to them. "Where are you from? How long did it take you to get here?" In each hand was a rosary and as we walked we prayed in so many different languages, but as one. I can't express the feeling of unity that surrounded me.

When we turned the corner and finally saw St Peter's looming in the distance, a hush came over us for a minute. There were video screens and speakers along the way, showing images of the Holy Father and the crowd. We were so tired by this time, as we had been in line for about four hours. Everyone one was breaking into backpacks offering water or snacks to their neighbor and handing cameras back and forth so we could all take home a piece of this great moment.

When we finally reached the lower steps, we had been in line for five and half hours. Let me tell you, am no spring chicken, I have Fibromyalgia and I was in real pain. but I knew I had to go on. It became difficult for me to take each step but in my heart and mind I just kept thinking of my mom, as I promised her I would make the journey for my family to pay our respects. I thought of my children and nieces and nephews and how I would be bringing it back to them and my family would share this bit of history forever. I walked on.

It was apparent to me that I was a part of something much bigger than myself, than any one human being. In that square I felt the light of hope. I felt the promise of Giovanni Paulo II. Quietly we walked into the chapel, one by one we passed by him. As the end came I finally broke down, crying in huge sobs. this was the end of an era. This pope had changed so much in our lives, but he also left us something behind. All I had to do was walk out of the church and open my eyes. His promise was loud and clear!
--Caryn Yazdani, Veneto, Italy

Worth the wait
I started queuing up on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and came out of the Basilica at 4.45 a.m. on Thursday after 15 hours and 30 minutes. It was a tremendous experience and I paid tribute to a person whom I met personally when I gave service for a month in 1990 as an altar boy.

Along with many youths we have lost our pope and is now rejoicing our lord in heaven. When I finally saw the pope in the basilica, I forgot all those hours waiting and the tiredness. This is something I will treasure all my life, especially the photo I have as an Altar boy with the pope. Indeed, a photo with a saint. Thank you Pope John Paul II.
--Michael Gafa, Marsascala, Malta

Privileged procession
The most moving part of the whole experience happened Monday. At the North American College we received a phone call at 3:30 p.m. that said any priest who would come to the Papal Palace at 4:30 with cassock and surplice could join in the procession of the body of the Holy Father from the Papal Palace through St. Peter's square to the Basilica.  We rushed to arrive at the Vatican because of so many streets being closed and police blockades controlling the crowds. When we arrived we entered through the bronze doors guarded by the Swiss Guards into the Papal Palace which a sight to behold. I estimate more than 1,000 priests and seminarians were present, more than 100 bishops and about 70 or 80 cardinals. The prayers began in the Papal Palace broadcast over P.A. system and television to the whole square and the Via del Conciliazione (street which runs down to the Vatican). The prayers themselves lead by the Cardinal Papal Chamberlain were so moving.

Then we began the procession chanting Psalms 23, 130, and 51 echoing throughout the whole Piazza, Palace and Basilica. As we processed down Bernini's staircase into the long hallway of the bronze doors, the procession stretched as far forwards and backwards as I could see. When we got out into the Piazza I could finally see the Holy Father's body on the television screens coming down the same stairs I had just processed.  I was quite overcome at this image of being privileged to lead my gather to his home.  It was as if we were all giving back to God the incredible gift that had been given to us of our Holy Father.

People lined the whole procession way, many in tears, St. Peter's bell tolled and we began the Litany of Saints. Praying especially to all the saints who were Popes for the intercession going up the main stairs into the central doors of the Basilica we were lined by the Swiss Guards and we finally passed into the Basilica itself which was empty except for those of us in the procession. We then lined both sides of the center isle first the bishops then the cardinals passed between us and then our Holy Father being carried by his personal attendants. How many times I had lined the isle of passage way at World Youth Day or in St. Peter's Square, hoping to get a glimpse of our Holy Father as he passed by, but this would be the last time I would see Pope John Paul II go by me. This time we were escorting him home.

As the Holy Father's body was placed in front of the altar where St. Peter himself is buried, we sang solemnly in Latin the beautiful hymn of commendation. Then there was a beautiful prayer service with the proclamation of the Gospel (John 17:24-26).  At the end of the prayer service the Basilica was completely silent as we priests, bishops, and seminarians were allowed to slowly pass by the body to say a final goodbye to our Holy Father.  We exited the basilica to see the hundreds of thousands who would now be allowed to pass by the body. 
--Fr. Andrew Cozzens, Rome

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