An Audience with the Pope.

Ok the title is an exaggeration. But I skipped the early session of my conference today to go walking through Rome. I was lucky that about 4 major sites: Fontana Trevi, the pantheon, piazza Navona, and Pont Sant’Angelo, were all on my route.

I didn’t linger because I’ve been to them all before. My intention was to get to Saint Peter’s Basilica. I missed that last time I was in Rome. I saw the piazza and the exterior, but not inside.

I didn’t see inside today either. There was a throng, which I expected. And a pope. Which I didn’t. Pope Frances was on the Basilica steps being serenaded by a massive and brilliant choir. I’m not Catholic, but I’m a big fan of this pope. He’s transformational and forgiving, and seems dedicated to the principles of mercy and charity.

I know there are still things to criticize and I don’t need to do that. I’m not Catholic. It’s not my place to tell them how to run their church.

Standing in front of Saint Peter’s and seeing the pope address the crowd, I couldn’t help but thing of Friend of the Blog MC. I know she’ll be jealous.

The he conference is fun and I’m enjoying myself. Rome is beautiful. Life is pretty good.