We got up early and left out a few simple goodies for the children for Easter. The children basically had chocolate and candy for breakfast. I'm definitely not going to win a Mom award for this years Easter Sunday breakfast. Ha! We got ready quickly and headed down to St. Peter's. We had tickets to the Papal Mass outside in the square. We had to get there early to get a decent spot and we had heard if it gets too crowded they will stop allowing people into the square...even if you have a ticket!
This was our view for Easter Sunday Mass!
When they opened up a new section I noticed how people were running to the edges instead of closest to St. Peters. I had to find out why. I asked a very nice Swiss Guard and he told me it was because the Pope will sometimes go around after the mass to greet the crowd but they never know ahead of time his route. So we decided to take the rail on the side which I liked better instead of being completely surrounded by people for hours.
The children with the Swiss Guard
I was really nervous about keeping the children entertained before Mass since it was going to be a long time. Everyone did very very well even little L. The older two wrote out a bunch of postcards and L just sat in her stroller (between bathroom trips). The mass was beautiful and it was said in all different languages. We liked the parts in English and Latin! Luckily they gave us a big book for the Mass so we could follow since the languages kept changing. When the Mass was over Pope Francis got into his little Popemobile and made his rounds. People were pushing and pushing to get closer to the rails. It was crazy. I put L on the rail and held her and then K and T were between Joe and I. The Popemobile moved fast and I believe there were 8 or 9 security guards around Pope Francis.
We were all just in awe how close we were and all the excitement from the crowds. L said to me a few times, "Mom...the Pope is soo cute...he is sooo cute!". T took a great video also which I will attach.
After Pope Francis finished making his rounds through the crowds he then came outside and did his Easter Sunday blessing.
The 5 of us after Easter Mass with Pope Francis
Check out those crowds behind us...unbelievable!
It was such a wonderful Easter Sunday morning. The weather was perfect and all the children did great standing in the sun for hours! I could not have asked for anything more...it was such a wonderful experience to be able to all attend a Papal Mass together as a family and get to see Pope Francis in ROME! We are blessed. Now back to the important stuff...FOOD! We are all starving...remember the children just had chocolate and candy for breakfast. We decided to go back to Borgo Pio for lunch. We ended up eating at the same place we did last time since it was so good.
T loved his pizza with anchovies!
L dancing after lunch
We went back to the apartment so that Joe and I could change before we continued our day. We just walked around the streets of Rome with no real plan...which is kinda nice!
Top of the Spanish Steps looking down (you can see the fountain is under construction)
Great shopping area near the Spanish Steps...soo crowded!
This is where Sigrid Undset lived while she was in Rome - one of my favorite authors!
Joe buying some apples
Piazza del Popolo - located on the northern gate of the walls. This seems to be a place where many Romans were hanging out. The Egyptian obelisk was originally located in the Circus Maximus from 10BC, and moved here in 1589 as part of the urban plan.
These are the "twin" churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto (left, built 1662-75) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (right, built 1675-79). These are also located in the same Piazza del Popolo.
There were a few street performers here in the piazza. L really liked the guy playing music with all different types of metal. Here she is dancing...also watch what happens when K tries to dance with her!
When it started to get dark we headed back to the apartment. We had to pack up because the next day we were getting our rental car at the airport and starting our driving portion of our trip!
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