Today was truly a once-in-a-lifetime day. I mean, yes, this entire trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but today was just the panna (whipped cream) on the gelato.

We went to the Vatican’s bible study this morning, arriving at just past 8 o’clock this morning, and were greeted by thousands of people. Thousands. All to see the Pope, and rightfully so. Papa Francesco truly is ‘The People’s Pope’ because he is just so caring about everyone! The morning started off by him walking through some sort of holy building (no one knew which) to bless some of the disabled children. Just observing him from the ginormous TV screens they have set up in St. Peter’s Square, you could clearly tell that he gave 110% of his individual attention to whomever he was facing, blessing the child and assuring the family all would be well (we don’t know what he was saying, but I am sure he was being supportive).

He gratefully accepted gifts, holding onto them for a few seconds before someone would take it from him, he held babies, posed for papal pictures, he even signed his autograph! Pope Francis has become not only the representative of the Catholic Church, but also an inspirational figure, a paragon of being a genuine person; he is just so incredible! He then rode around the Square in his Mercedes-Benz PopeMobile, greeting the crowd, pausing to see the children and accept gifts, and just to energize the crowd.

We were with ten feet of one of the most adorable people on this planet.

It was interesting to witness the actual study — there are several other Vatican representatives that read the passage and recite the Pope’s message in several different languages. It took a bit of time, but Frankie’s word was relatively brief and succinct, talking about the importance of family. It was also really cool to see watch the crowd: there were tour groups, missionary and pilgrimage groups, locals, children, truly a diversified crowd.

It rained on and off throughout the morning, but man, these people were prepared! Well, I say rained, but it was truly just a very, very light sprinkle. Nothing at all compared to Florida’s storms. That didn’t phase them; a few drops would fall and within ten seconds, the crowd full of heads and hats was swathed with umbrellas of equally colorful designs. The ladies that were in front of me pulled out umbrellas and beckoned us to stand with them under the layer of protection. I felt silly, considering I live in a place where hurricanes are the usual and storms happen whenever they feel like it, but I also felt sort of welcomed, if that makes any sense. I suppose it’s because I can’t believe how nice the majority of people here are to us Americans. They didn’t speak any English, but I was able to once more use my Italian to show my appreciation. Grazie, grazie, grazie.

Among these ladies was a nun, just one nun, that pushed her way to the front, and made me want to run. Jill wasn’t kidding — these nuns meant business. I wasn’t particularly fond of this nun, but I wasn’t going to push her back out of the way. Jill would have, but not me. I might feel a strong connection to the culture here, but I’m not comfortable enough to push an elderly lady out of the way. She was there for a very important meeting with her boss, after all.

At the end of his speech, just before the conclusion, Frank blessed the crowd and also whatever religious items you hold in your right hand. I had five things blessed: the postcards that I have yet to send (sorry), Rufus (the stuffed animal I brought with me), my glasses (yes, I now have blessed vision), my camera (because why not), and my water bottle (it was empty, but I figured I might as well). I know they’re not necessarily the most religious items you could have held, but they were what I had at the time.

Once Frankie concluded, we went back to the hotel for a couple hours of free time. Eritha and I returned to the market, with me consuming gelato both there and back, so she could purchase some peach tea. Absolutely delicious. As of blogging this post, I am in a very far lead of 19 different flavors. My “competition”: 7. #areyoueventrying

I then called my mom from the hotel room and then took a nap before leaving to meet with the Holy See ambassador for the US. I truly do not want to leave this nation. I love clutching my bag to prevent pick-pocketing in the tunnel, I love all the stairs (though never at the time), I love the food, the language, the necessity of walking into traffic to cross the street, I love ordering gelato, I love seeing the dogs, the flowers and gardens on everyone’s balcony (no matter how small), truly everything. I was overwhelmed with emotion on the plane when we landed (there were tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat), and I will be overwhelmed with emotion when we depart (crying because I will already be missing this land). I am not looking forward to Tuesday. Nor Monday, packing day. Mom, I hope you are okay with just throwing my stuff in the luggage. I’m kidding, of course. (Kind of).

(Oh my gosh, I am listening to Italian Top 40 Radio!! I am listening to mainstream Italian music!! I’ve been wondering who the pop/rock stars are over here because in many of the places we have been in are simply playing American music!! But I am listening to them now!! And this is really good music!! For future reference, the station was 91.5, the artist Cesare Cremonini, and the song Logico. [Now they are playing Bon Jovi] I’ve no idea what they’re saying, but it sounds really good. Molto bene!!)

Back to the Embassy thing: We met with the Foreign Affairs officer and were able to ask her all sorts of questions. I inquired about how to apply for a student visa and the chance of being accepted to an Italian university, and she didn’t know the exact details (because that would be a more appropriate question for the ambassador to Italy) but that there are a lot of American students, so my chances are probably pretty good. And yes, she has diplomatic immunity.

Tonight we ate dinner at a place just past the Vatican, followed by gelato at a highly popular place.

I promise that I will mention in one of these posts more about the culture of Italy that I have learned and witnessed/participated in. Please be patient, it is quarter after 2 AM. I am tired. I will continue my cappuccino habit in a few hours.