The Papal Audience- 3.17.10

The weather was beautiful Wednesday. We started off with our coats but took them off as soon as the sun came out.

We walked to the Square with David. He met up with his students and handed out tickets. Then he told us to act like Italians and work our way up to get good seat. And we did. We saved him a seat and ended up sitting by most of his class with out even knowing it. That was nice because it is Family week and a lot of the parents are here. We spent the rest of the day with them touring the Vatican Museum and wine tasting in the evening.
The building in the back is the Pope's residence. He lives on the top floor.
Waiting for the Pope. There were lots of groups visiting and they where mentioned during the presentation. David's group was one of them.
People. We sat by two groups from Texas.
You can see the screen under St. Paul's statue. They showed the Pope on this screen. It was closer than it looked.

This is the Balcony where the Pope stands on Sundays.
The Pope came out in the Pope Mobile and rode all around the Square.
There was no shame in standing on the chairs. I loved the outfits!
Some even took off their shoes to do so. And her toenails were purple!
Although two chairs broke in our section. The guy in front of us and an elderly lady, who had to be taken out on a stretcher.
Directly over the Pope Mobile you can see the stage with the white awning - that is where the Pope sat during the Papal Audience.
After readings were read (in the 7 romantic languages) and the Pope spoke (in the 7 different languages) then he blessed the crowed and all that was brought for him to bless.
Then he greeted the guest that were on the steps (? not sure who they were but most brought gifts)
That is the Swiss guard in the stripes.
When the Pope went to greet the guest lots of people left. So Lauri and I went to the front to get a closer view.
Swiss Guard
Lots of security guards. The one to the left was in a purple tux. The one in the middle was just cute. They never relaxed untill the Pope Mobile was out of the square. We saw them talking later when we were going into the Basilica.
When the Pope left he passed right by us:)