"Operation White Smoke," aka the students' mission to get Clare kissed by the Pope, was a success!!
Like most of our days in Rome during this pilgrimage, it rained. But thankfully there were pockets of no rain, including when Pope Francis rode around in his Pope-mobile blessing people! Students got up around 4 am (maybe some even earlier?) and were the first in line to enter St. Peter's Square around 7 am. Our family got in line around 8 am and made it into the square around 8:30 am. Normally entering at this time would mean we'd be in the center seats somewhere, but thanks to the students' good positioning - we joined them in a corner - which meant Pope Francis would pass by our section multiple times.
Clare slept in her stroller - with the rain cover - until Pope Francis emerged in the car around 9:30 am. I then carried her to the railing between several students (I didn't want to hand her off, fearful that she would start crying). Students hollered and cheered as Pope Francis approached, better quickly it seemed, his car slowed and one of the guards got the signal that he could pick up Clare. Pope Francis blessed a child on his right side first, and we all waited as the guard held Clare, then he turned to his left side (our side) and kissed Clare!
It is pretty amazing to witness the Vicar of Christ kiss your child. Even if it is your fourth child to be kissed by the Pope! (And no, Francis was not kissed again this year, I guess his 3 prior times are enough :) Thank you again to all of the students who made this moment possible!
Like most of our days in Rome during this pilgrimage, it rained. But thankfully there were pockets of no rain, including when Pope Francis rode around in his Pope-mobile blessing people! Students got up around 4 am (maybe some even earlier?) and were the first in line to enter St. Peter's Square around 7 am. Our family got in line around 8 am and made it into the square around 8:30 am. Normally entering at this time would mean we'd be in the center seats somewhere, but thanks to the students' good positioning - we joined them in a corner - which meant Pope Francis would pass by our section multiple times.
Clare slept in her stroller - with the rain cover - until Pope Francis emerged in the car around 9:30 am. I then carried her to the railing between several students (I didn't want to hand her off, fearful that she would start crying). Students hollered and cheered as Pope Francis approached, better quickly it seemed, his car slowed and one of the guards got the signal that he could pick up Clare. Pope Francis blessed a child on his right side first, and we all waited as the guard held Clare, then he turned to his left side (our side) and kissed Clare!
It is pretty amazing to witness the Vicar of Christ kiss your child. Even if it is your fourth child to be kissed by the Pope! (And no, Francis was not kissed again this year, I guess his 3 prior times are enough :) Thank you again to all of the students who made this moment possible!
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