Friday, March 15, 2013

Today is the Ides of March (the day that Julius Caesar was assassinated), so kind of a cool time to be in Rome.  I still can't believe all that has happened the last couple of days, this has been such a great experience!  Standing in the square the other night when Pope Francis came out was something I will never forget.  The atmosphere was just indescribable - thousands of people spilling out of the square and into side streets.  Yet, despite the throngs of people there was such an air of awe and respect, no one was rude or ill-mannered; we were all just living the excitement and joy together.  It really felt like we were one huge family!  Random strangers would just come up and hug you and jump up and down - it was a real thrill!  Right away I fell in love with Pope Francis, he just seemed so down to earth (I could even understand his Italian), and he really was humble in asking for our prayers.  I think he is exactly what the Church needs at this moment.  How cool that he is from the Americas - I think that will help to build solidarity among the Americas, which will be great.  I am just so grateful for him, and to have been there to see it!

The excitement never ends though.  Yesterday for my internship I was interviewed twice by EWTN, once for their website and facebook page, and once for their television program Life on the Rock, which aired last evening.  It was pretty intimidating at first going into a chaotic and fancy news studio - NBC, Fox, CBS, and many others were all set up nearby.  The lights were so bright, but it was nice that a few other classmates of mine were there too, so we were able to relax and have fun with it, just sharing the joy of being in the square once again.  Now, today with my Aleteia internship I will be participating in the largest Moment with Mary Rosary ever held - thousands will pray the Rosary for Pope Francis at 4pm today in the square.  I am looking forward to it!  I just feel so blessed to have all of these fantastic opportunities!