Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square

This morning (11/5/14) we went to the Wednesday papal audience in St. Peter's Square! Thousands of people were there, and despite the fact that we experienced on and off rain showers (umbrellas & rain ponchos everywhere) while we were waiting (you have to get there super early), everyone stuck it out, and by the time the Holy Father was ready to tour St. Peter's Square in the popemobile, it stopped raining and the sun came out . . . warm and bright! And you could really feel the excitement in the air as there were people from all over the world in attendance!

We sat a few rows back from one of the barriers along the route that the Pope took, so when he went by, we all got a good view of him and his bright smileds. In fact, he came by our section TWICE, which never happens (at least not in my previous experiences). The pope had a wonderful teaching on the bishops and clergy based on today's Gospel. And he gave us his papal blessing, which blessed us, our families back home, and any religious articles (sacramentals) we had with us.

This is the third pope I've seen (and received blessings from) -- Pope John II in 2004, Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, and now Pope Francis in 2014. What an incredible blessing this has been over the years!

Here we have (from L to R), Lynne Hanlon, Fr. Mike Philips, Fr. Chris Podhajsky, and Mary Johnston.

More Iowa pilgrims (from L to R): Bonnie Govern, Ruth Callahan, and Lenny & Carol Steiner.

Here's the Holy Father doing one of his favorite things: kissing babies!

Pope Francis is getting ready to begin his teaching.

Swiss guards -- on the job!