Sposi Novelli

When people asked what we were doing for our honeymoon, my response was always "Going to Rome to meet the Pope."  It has been my dream for the last several years to go to Rome for my honeymoon and have a chance to meet the Pope. Ever since friends of mine did it several years ago. It was a once in a lifetime experience, one we are sure to never forget.

Background:  Every Wednesday the Pope holds a Wednesday Audience. Thousands of people gather in St. Peter's square, the Pope rides around in the Pope mobile to greet them and then gives a sermon for the week. St. John Paul II used these audiences to "publish" the Theology of the Body since everyone claimed it was too long for a book. Pope Francis generally talks about current world events and his thoughts on the same.

As a part of the Wednesday Audiences, there is a section for the Sposi Novelli, or newlyweds. Newlywed couples come wearing their wedding attire and sit in a special section close to the Pope. Afterwards, the Pope comes around to either shake hands with the first row or talk to couples individually. It depends on the Pope. In order to get the tickets, you have to be married within 3 months of the papal audience in a Catholic Church. We requested the tickets from the North American Pontifical College and were told to bring our wedding certificate with us in order to get in.

The time before:  After the wedding, I took off my wedding dress and packed it into my suitcase. The lady who did my dress alterations showed me how to fold the dress, using clothes to keep it flat and a plastic bag to protect it. Then it was off to Rome we went! We had to pick up the tickets the day before. There we met several other newlywed couples who would also be in the section with us. One couple was even from Boston!

The day of:  The day of, we woke up way too early to get ready and get there on time. Luckily there was a taxi stand just outside the hotel so I didn't have to wonder through Rome in my wedding dress. We got to the Vatican around 7:15 am to wait in line. We had been told to wait by the front gates to get in. Multiple people came to talk to us. One guy kept saying over and over something in Italian. Fortunately, a nice person behind us translated it to "Are you getting Married today."  We laughed and said no. We were asked this question multiple times throughout the day.

Eventually we were ushered over to a side entrance to get in. Now, you need to understand something about Italians (and perhaps people in general). They do NOT believe in standing in lines. Rather, they believe in free-for-alls. Despite my best attempts to ask the Swiss Guard if there was a special line for us, we were still ushered into the mob that was the people waiting to get in. (There is a special entrance, just to the left of where we were. By the time we found that out we were completely trapped in the mob and had to just wait it out).  My dress was stepped on my multiple people, we were pushed upon in all directions, trapped behind a tour group that had no desire to move it seems and generally very very close to way too many people. Eventually we could through (even though some Spanish lady tried to body-block Nick from getting in after me) and made our way to the Sposi Novelli section. We were never actually asked for our marriage certificate, probably because of my big white dress.

We sat with 36 other couples (I counted). We met several of the United States couples while waiting in the mob to get in  (It seemed like it was only the Americans who didn't know about the special entrance). It was really neat to see all the connections we could make among ourselves, despite the country being so big. Everyone was taking pictures for each other and generally very excited to be there. We were on the top platform so we could also see the crowd below shouting and cheering for the Pope. I always love being in big crowds of Catholic people. Their energy is always food for my soul. Plus, we were on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica. It was the first time I had been in the square and it was quite awe-inspiring.

The Pope!:
Eventually the Pope came out and went around the crowd. We were sitting in the back of the front part so we couldn't see him driving around. But we could hear the crowd. They were beyond excited which made me even more excited to see and hear the Pope speak. During the audience we had a great view of the back of his head. The audience began with the reading about the wedding feast at Cana. (I was very touched at this since it is one of my favorite readings and something I had been reflecting upon during my preparation for marriage). Then the Pope gave his address. He spoke completely in Italian and then other people gave summaries of what he said in other languages. Right now, Pope Francis is giving a series of talks on marriage and the family. They are really quite interesting if you want to look them up to read. Interestingly, the biggest take-away from the media was Pope Francis's call for equal pay for men and women doing the same jobs. This wasn't even in the summary we heard in English.

The most interesting part, to me, was his take on the Wedding Feast of Cana. I am going to quote from the English language summary:
     "As we continue our catechesis on the family, we look to the marriage feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into wine, at the prompting of Mary his Mother. In this way, he showed his loving concern for the couple and gave a “sign” which has much to tell us about the meaning and importance of marriage itself....The most effective witness to the blessing of marriage is the good life of Christian spouses and their families. The consecration of their love by God is the font of their peace and fidelity. To make these blessings more evident to the world, the equality enjoyed by the spouses must produce new fruit – equal opportunities in the workplace; a new valuing of motherhood and fatherhood; and a greater appreciation for the openness of families to those most in need. Let us not be afraid to invite Jesus and Mary to the marriage feast, for Christian spouses marry not only for themselves but for the good of the community and for all of society."

You can find the full text of the speech here:  General Audience 4-29

After the audience was over, they lined all the couples up on the steps directly behind the Pope's chair for everyone in the square to see. It seemed like the Pope was making a point of showing us off since he is putting such a huge emphasis on marriage and families. We were originally in the third row so I was really convinced we wouldn't get to shake his hand, just see him close. Then they spread us out in a long line and told us to not take any pictures.

After what seemed like forever, the Pope came over to where we were lined up. Couple by couple he went down the line, shaking hands and spending a few moments talking with them. We had been pre-warned to have something prepared to say. Using my basic Spanish, I decided to tell the Pope we were praying for him (Nosotros oramos para usted). We were towards the end of the line and waves of emotions flooded over me as we waited. Excitement. Nervousness. Disbelief. More excitement.

Then it was our turn!  The Pope greeted Nick first and then me. I was nervously said my very rehearsed phrase. What came out was very bad Spanish. Yes, I spoke very bad Spanish to the Pope. He laughed, Nick laughed, I laughed. We asked him to bless our marriage and he did. Then we were ushered away.

It lasted no longer than 2 minutes. But, they are two minutes we will remember forever. Looking into his eyes filled with so much love and hope was incredible. Knowing he would probably be a saint someday, that his is THE representative of Christ on Earth. Totally surreal to have him shake my hand and laugh at my bad Spanish. On top of that, Pope Francis is a Pope who is the kind of Catholic I strive to be. One who teaches through his actions and lives as a servant to the world. Who speaks simply and humbly, gaining him the attention of the world. So that, in this loud and crazy place, the message of Christ might still come through and touch the hearts of those who need him most: the lost, the broken and the "unloved".

The After:

After we were done meeting the Pope, we started to make our way across the square to find a cab. We stopped to take some photos, then left the super secure area. Once we were out of the "gate" multiple people came up to us and asked if we got married today (again) and wanted to know if they could take a picture with us. We met people from Iowa, Spain and France. The French girls were the most amusing. The conversation went something like this:

"Can we take a picture with you?

-Sure

Do you speak any French?

-No. Sorry. We don't know any. 

Not even a little?

-No, sorry.

Um, Bonjour. That means hello. 

-Well, yes. We know what Bonjour means."

We finally made it through the square, down the street and to the nice police people. They helped us flag down the taxi that took us back to the hotel so we could change. It was nice to get into regular clothes, but it was fun having everyone look at us and come up to talk to us. I wanted to go to the Colosseum in my dress, but Nick said no. Alas. 

Overall, it was an experience we will never forget. One we would recommend to everyone. Because, in case you forgot, WE MET THE POPE!!!!!