The sun was shining in my face while I walked through the streets of Rome, Italy. I looked at my watch to see the time and I realized that it was already 5 o’clock. Only 30 minutes until I have to be at the Papal Palace where I am meeting Pope Benedict XVI. I quickly pulled out my map, so I could look up where the Papal Palace was located. I wish the pope had given me direction, but I did tell him over the phone that I knew where I was going.
Following the map was harder than I thought, but I made it to the Papal Palace with 2 minutes to spare. The building was old and it reminded me of a castle. I opened the big doors and walked down the hall. Pope Benedict told me upstairs and the second room on the left. I walked up the stairs, and then as I turned into the room, Pope Benedict was sitting across the table. The table was long and the chairs with tall with fancy designs around them. He welcomed me in with a big smile across his face. As I entered the room, I noticed the walls of the room were painted with reds and gold’s. The walls told a story about Jesus’ birth, and the feelings Mary was going through as her son was being born. I sat down at the table and there was plenty of food for a seven or eight people. Does the pope think I am going to eat all of this food?
The pope handed me a plate of chicken, and as he was handing me the plate, I realized he was wearing all white and had white buttons on the top of his outfit. How does he keep his clothes so white, thinking in my head? As I started to eat, he started to talk to me about his years before a pope and how he decided to take the religious path; he described to me God’s call to him to take the path of a religious life. He spoke with elegance and grace, and every word that came out of his mouth just put me in awe. I have never heard anyone in my life talk like he talks.
As I finished up my meal and as he finished up his talking, I looked at my watch and realized it was 8 o’clock. I had been here for 2 and half hours with Pope Benedict. He sat up, so I sat up and pushed in my chair. He took my hand and shook it firmly, and then escorted me down the stairs and out the door. He told me he had a pleasant time, and I welcomed anytime. The dinner with Pope Benedict went very well, and for the rest of the night I walked around Rome with a smile on my face.
I enjoy your choice of Pope Benedict because I agree with you in how he is so intriguing. I always wonder what it takes to be the pope, how really one man is awarded such an opportunity. I like your comments on his outfit and his actions, I often wonder the same things when seeing them in all white, and I surely at dinner would spill something on myself...multiple times. In addition, your comments on his providing enough food for seven or eight people, when there are only two of you are interesting. An insight into him as a holy man and as a man of hospitality, to ensure that his guest is well fed and happy. I enjoyed reading this because I could imagine him talking to gracefully that one would sit in awe at his every word. It is interesting our perspective of such great people in the world, and I think your scenario captured him well in being a truly holy man, yet welcoming gracious and above all kind. I cannot wait to read more about him, because I do not know much, though I probably should, about his life before becoming Pope and the works he completed to get him there.
ReplyDeleteI really like this description of Pope Benedict...wouldn't it be nice if it was that easy to meet the Pope? Interesting choice of scenario - I've never thought about what would be good dinner conversation with the leader of Catholicism. Are you planning on discussing the differences between Pope Benedict and his contemporaries? Especially Pope John Paul II - they have differed in their viewpoints on quite a few things and I think that might be a good topic to address further. Good start with this story!
ReplyDeleteI love the vivd language that you use in this meeting with the Pope, it really helps me visualize what your meeting would have looked like. You describe the Pope to be such a sweet person which I really like. People should know that even though people may be in the lime light, they are still normal people like you and me. It was good for you to mention that he discussed his calling to become a Pope but maybe you could have made up some questions you had for him to make it a little more interview like.
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