Pope Benedict’s Last Days

            These have truly been some of the most memorable weeks of my life.  Leading up to the conclave which began on Tuesday March 12, 2013, the U.S. Cardinals who don’t live in Rome (7 in total) stayed in residence here at the NAC.  As usual, they were all very friendly and it was great to see them around the halls.  Though they were courteous, you couldn’t help but notice the seriousness in their look as they walked around the College.  It was such a blessing to see them discussing with one another, having them celebrate Mass for us, asking for our prayers, and especially looking over in the chapel during a holy hour to see one or more of the cardinals in prayer.  In this way they prepared for their role in electing the new pope.  It was serious business and they took it as such.  Throughout the days and weeks leading up to the conclave I thought frequently of the words which Cardinal McCarrick spoke to the community just before lunch on February 11^th, the day that Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would resign at the end of the month.  The cardinal mentioned how privileged we were to be in Rome at such an historic time.  He encouraged us to take part in this moment certainly by participating in the events which would surround the conclave, but not only in that way.  Most importantly, he told us, take part in the conclave through our prayers.  He told us that we have a role in the election of the next pope by flooding the electors with our prayers.

Last ride around St. Peter's Square in the "Pope Mobile"

            Wednesday February 27^th came and I attended the final audience of Pope Benedict XVI.  This was a bittersweet moment.  It was great to be there, but it was hard to say goodbye as for the last 8 years he has been such a huge influence on my life even to the point of helping to finally get me into seminary (I hope to write something on this soon).  The day was filled with emotions and in true Ratzinger style he gave a great address at the audience.  Seeing him go around St. Peter’s Square with the crowds cheering for several minutes was truly amazing.  Finally, he went back behind the basilica and that was the last time I would see him in person.

My professor waiving as the helicopter passed by.

            The following day, Pope Benedict’s last as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church was a somber one in Rome.  I had seminar that afternoon as we had moved it from Wednesday morning so that we could attend the final audience.  Around 5:05pm Rome time we took our break (10 minutes early) and went outside to see if Pope Benedict would fly over on his way out to Castel Gandolfo.  Almost immediately as we got outside in the garden at the Angelicum we began to hear and see a speck far off in the air.  It came closer and flew by not too far from us.  It was great to get to wave to Pope Benedict, showing him our support.  Just as quickly as the helicopter came, it was out of site taking with it our humble leader for the past 8 years.  Less than 3 hours from that moment we 1.2 billion Catholics world-wide would become sheep without an earthly shepherd.  At 8pm Rome time the doors to the palace at Castel Gandolfo were closed and the Swiss Guards went off duty as they were no longer needed since there was no pope to protect.  The well-being of His Holiness Benedict XVI was turned over to an Italian police unit and the Church went into a period of mourning marked by intense prayer and anxious waiting for the 266^th Successor of St. Peter.