An impromptu stroll down to St Peters resulted in being caught up in what is possibly the world’s biggest news event of the year. At least for the holy folk that is.It isn’t often that one gets to be a spectator at a historical religious moment.
I must admit I did feel like I was part of the studio audience at a strange religious game show. Journalists were quizzing the crowd on various topics, emotions were riding high and suspense was slashed across the faces of even the most serene nuns. The big question on everyone's lips was WHAT COLOR IS THE SMOKE AND WHO IS BEHIND THE RED CURTAIN?
Where else does one get to see all the worlds Cardinals in one place? The crowd was a sea of priests in their best black suits and nuns in their low key (dare I say drab) outfits.
The atmosphere was electric, similar to that of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It was a media frenzy. I imagine that most countries had their own correspondent. Being Australian it was good to see Australia’s own Stan Grant up amongst them for CNN.
Of course in this country everyone has to have their input. A flock of nuns were engaged in harmonious group prayer, when an Italian women, fiercely protested “Oh why don’t you sing instead of pray? Sing for us sisters.. SING!” (Obviously this woman was a fan of the Whoopi Goldberg movie ,Sister Act)
Catholic Mike found all of this inspiring. He could feel the energy of the crowd congregated in one space to show their faith and love.
Catholic Mike admired these people for being so devoted to their beliefs. He was pleased to see so many young devotees scatted across the crowd
Everyday Mike tried to suppress his many thoughts. He discussed these thoughts with Catholic Mike:
“I know they are devoted and reject superficious things such as vanity but surely it wouldn’t be a sin to pluck those few stray hairs on the upper lip and eyebrow, and surely there is something basic they can wear that doesn’t have to make them look so......poor. Other thoughts included; “why do some of them have the glow of someone who is on anti depressants?” and
“That priest is absolutely handsome, are you sure he is a Priest? I mean I have never seen a Priest to be so buff”
Catholic Mike enjoyed the Swiss Sisters harmony of Gesu with the Mariah Carey- esque soloist (GeeeEEEESSsoooo GeeeEEESSssooo) So did Everyday Mike except he would have preferred the standard version instead of extended remix. He was also hoping to hear “Oh Happy Day” from the Sister Act soundtrack.
NB: Catholic Mike feels guilt for Everyday Mike’s thoughts, including this blog
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