Year after year, this event simply shows up on my television screen. Halfway around the world, this event is happening and is live telecast across the world every single time. Despite that, I am still standing across the globe and watching it from afar, somewhat detached from it all. To me, it was just like a movie I'm watching, somewhat unreal. But I never realized how meaningful that event is, until I had the very lucky opportunity to be standing there in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Vatican City, myself amidst the crowd on Christmas Day of 2010.It wasn't really planned, but somehow, with God's will, the powers of the Universe, the lucky stars, or the help of my guardian angel, I am put there at the right place, at the right time.Our family was in Rome, Italy on December 2010 and yes, Vatican City was part of our itinerary. Our schedules were pretty much arranged by the tour operator though. So all we expected was to at least get a chance to visit St. Peter's Basilica, sometime during our trip. I travel a lot and it is not always practical to attend a service, albeit an English one. But I always managed to visit a church, even if it's just for a few minutes to visit, and to thank God for the continued blessings and for keeping me safe in my journeys.
But this time, we were really excited to find out that our visit to St. Peter's Basilica will be exactly on the 25th of December. Even then, I didn't expect anything aside from maybe a peek, especially on such a busy day where most places like these will be off limits to visitors anyway. As we were on our way to St. Peter's on our bus, our tour guide announced our itinerary and told us that we will be there in time for the blessing of the pope and that we will be part of it. Woh, and even in that instant, it didn't occur to me yet that, it is that same event that I see on my television screen every year! It hasn't sank in yet. Even to the moment that I stood amidst the crowd, looking up anxiously at the balcony, waiting for the pope, I was overwhelmed with a surreal feeling. I feel that I am in a dream!
The large TV screen was up, and everybody was getting ready. A close up camera was set up at the balcony and the pope's chair was ready. The crowd began to increase but there was a lot of space to stand, even with umbrellas open. I was so unused to this as I compare this to the sardine-squeezed crowds that I've been to in other similar popular events.
Then right on the dot, the pope emerged from the door into the balcony. We didn't even notice him coming out as there was no announcement. I suddenly felt everything went into slow motion. Buzzing turned into absolute silence as everybody's attention slowly turned to that tiny balcony up above. I think I could have heard a pin drop if it did. To me, it was a moment of awe where reality is just starting to sink in. Then later, murmurs grew louder again as people cheered and welcomed him.
Apparently, he had just finished the mass service inside the Basilica and as part of tradition, he comes out the balcony to bless everyone standing at the grounds and of course to the world through the live telecast.
I can't explain how I felt, but I had goose bumps. It felt so different being there, even if I was also just watching the pope from afar, from way below the balcony that he stands in. As he spoke in Latin and Italian, there are moments where my attention wandered, as I assess what I'm feeling. But I am there, I am present, I can feel the ground on my feet, I can see the pope with my own eyes, I can hear his voice, I can feel the crowd around me. This is not real!
I feel so lucky, especially when moments like that, unexpected as they are, happen to me. These are the moments where I feel that God is truly watching over me.
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