Saturday, October 4th
Our initial thought about today’s walk was to take a train partway to the Vatican, making the day’s trek @ 5 miles, rather than the official 11. Late yesterday we decided to forego walking and, instead, to take the train all the way to the Vatican. This morning at breakfast we read that the Pope was holding a Jubilee audience at 10:00 am and all pilgrims were welcome to attend. We caught an early train and then hot-footed it to the Vatican, arriving @ 10:15, just as the Pope was beginning to address the audience. It was moving to see and hear him in person.
Later in the afternoon we returned to take part in a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, feeling a sense of community with pilgrims from all over the world as we walked through St. Peter’s Square praying and singing hymns. It’s amazing how crowded the Vatican is during this Jubilee year. At times, it felt almost suffocating. We’re all excited to be heading home tomorrow, weary and foot-sore but proud to be carrying our testimoniums representing the 600+ Via Francigena miles we traveled (primarily on foot).
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