The pilgrimage group attended the papal audience today. Nothing special to report about that other than the atypically dreadful weather.
Lunch is at a place on the Gianicolo called “Scarpone”. It has been a favorite for years and it has the advantage of parking. In better weather you have a nice outside area. Too wet today, alas.
We sped off from the restaurant to the Apostolic Palace where we had a private tour arranged. A long time friend of mine in Rome, and sometime commentator here, took us to the Pauline Chapel and also to the Redemptoris Mater chapel.
The hideous nightmare from the time of Paul VI in the Pauline chapel had been undone by Pope Benedict’s most provident demolition and restoration. What a refreshing thing it was to see his name in the Latin inscription over the door.
Gone is the half-a-deviled egg jammed into a shot glass look. Now it looks like a real altar.
Part of the Sala Ducale.
After the Apostolic Palace we went to the Palazzo Farnese, where we had a permission to get in and see the sights.
Afterward, we walked across the way and had Mass at Santa Brigida and then visited the rooms of the saint. Here is a large bone, relic of the saint.
Also in the room is the table top on which she wrote and then slept and then died. She wanted to die on wood, like our Lord.
Off to supper. Some focaccia.
Grilled eggplant, peppers, etc.
Mozzarella… the real thing. I dream about this stuff when I am in the USA.
Saltimbocca alla romana.
And back out into the Roman evening for a stroll to bed.
The façade of Sant’Ignazio.
It was a long and very challenging day with perhaps a little too much jammed in.
Tomorrow we are back at the Vatican Museum and then some time in the gardens and Mass at the Governatorato.
