Tourists in Rome surprised to see Pope Francis by chance

Tourists in Rome had an unexpected opportunity to see Pope Francis at his first public audience in more than six months.

People from all over the world expressed their happiness and surprise on Wednesday to have the opportunity to be present at Francis' first in-person audience since the coronavirus outbreak began.

“We were surprised because we thought there was no audience,” Belen and her friend, both from Argentina, told CNA. Belen is visiting Rome from Spain, where she lives.

“We love the Pope. He is also from Argentina and we feel very close to him, ”he said.

Pope Francis has been broadcasting his Wednesday general audience live from his library since March, when the coronavirus pandemic led Italy and other countries to impose a lockdown to slow the spread of the virus.

The audience on 2 September was held in the San Damaso courtyard inside the Vatican Apostolic Palace, with a capacity of about 500 people.

The announcement that Francis would resume public hearings, albeit in a different location than usual and with a limited number of people, was made on August 26. Many of the people who attended on Wednesday said they came to the right place at the right time. .

A Polish family told CNA they discovered the public only 20 minutes earlier. Franek, seven, whose name is the Polish version of Francis, was thrilled to be able to tell the pope about their common name.

Glowing, Franek said he was "very happy".

Sandra, a Catholic visiting Rome from India with her parents, sister and family friend, said “it's fantastic. We never thought we could see it, now we will see it “.

They found out about the public two days earlier, he said, and decided to go. "We just wanted to see him and have his blessings."

Pope Francis, without a face mask, took the time to greet the pilgrims entering and leaving the courtyard, taking a moment to exchange a few words or to make a traditional exchange of skullcaps.

He also stopped to kiss a Lebanese flag brought to the audience by Fr. Georges Breidi, Lebanese priest who studies at the Gregorian University of Rome.

At the end of the catechesis, the pope took the priest to the podium with him as he launched an appeal for Lebanon, announcing a day of prayer and fasting for the country on Friday, September 4, after Beirut experienced a devastating explosion on August 4.

Breidi spoke to CNA immediately after the experience. He said, "I really can't find the right words to say, however, I thank God for this great grace he has given me today."

Belen also had the opportunity to exchange a quick greeting with the pope. He said he is part of the Fraternidad de Agrupaciones Santo Tomás de Aquino (FASTA), an association of lay people who follow the spirituality of the Dominicans.

She said she introduced herself and Pope Francis asked her how the founder of FASTA is doing. The pope knew Fr. Aníbal Ernesto Fosbery, OP, when he was a priest in Argentina.

“We didn't know what to say at the time, but it was great,” Belen said.

An elderly Italian couple from Turin went to Rome specifically to see the pope when they heard about the public audience. “We came and it was a great experience,” they said.

A visiting family from the UK was also thrilled to be in the public. Parents Chris and Helen Gray, along with their children, Alphie, 9, and Charles and Leonardo, 6, are three weeks into a 12-month family trip.

Rome was the second stop, Chris said, stressing that the possibility for their children to see the pope was "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

Helen is Catholic and they are raising their kids in the Catholic Church, Chris said.

"Fantastic opportunity, how do I describe it?" He added. “Just an opportunity to refocus, especially in times like today with everything so uncertain, it's nice to hear words about certainty and community. It gives you a little more hope and confidence for the future “.