Wonderful moment

Fr Andy and I just watched the Pope's Holy Hour from St Peter's in the Vatican. It was all in Italian, but we were able to understand, and join in the responses and Latin hymns. I found it very moving, and several things stood out for me.

First, the Holy Father was clearly struggling to walk. And, as Andy said to me "He's walking like you". This touches me somehow, as I am sure Francis was in pain, as I am some of the time, as Jesus was so much in His Passion, and as millions are across the world with this virus.
 





Second, they had brought two very significant images from Rome churches. First the Crucifix of San Marcello from the church of the same name on the main street the Corso. Dating from the 16th century, Romans have prayed before it during plagues down through the years. Francis went to that church earlier this month (see picture left). And second, the image of Our Lady known as Salus Populi Romani, brought from the great basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (right). These two images were placed either side of teh main entrance to St Peter's. 
Lastly - the Holy Hour iself. It started out in the square with the Gospel of Jesus asleep in the boat while a storm came over the Sea of Galilee. The Pope then gave an address, a meditation on the Gospel in the light of the epidemic. 
Then we moved into the atrium or porch of the great church, where there was an altar set up for Adoration. After a period of silence followed by intercessions, the Holy Father, slowly and alone, brought the Blessed Sacrament out to the huge main doors of St Peter's to give the Benediction to the city and the world. As the rain fell, this holy old, gentle and pained man raised the Lord in blessing over all of us. I found it painful, powerful, comforting, loving, beautiful and many other things too....