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| Happy New Year from me and (some of) my fabulous housemates, Julia, Maiga & Paola! |
With those two greetings, I have had the joy of being welcomed and welcoming others into 2016. Paola and I cheerfully counted down the seconds just steps away from the Roman Forum, across the imminently beautiful Piazza Venezia. There's something so deeply meaningful about celebrating another year while standing literally amongst buildings that have survived nearly two millennia. Watching fireworks burst over the Colosseum and hundreds of people from all over the world happily celebrating together, I was so deeply struck by how many generations have greeted the years in that very same place, among the very same buildings. While so much has changed, such moments bring to mind the great arc of time and remind us that we are just tiny specs in the great history of this world. May this city and this Forum witness many more to come!
After some much-needed sleep and a day spent in relaxation & preparation for the coming days, I walked just five minutes to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Great St. Mary or St. Mary Major) . One of the four great basilicas in Rome, Maria Maggiore was hosting Pope Francis, who was there to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Perhaps even more extraordinary, he was also there to open the Porta Santa - the holy door of the Basilica ceremonially to welcome people to Rome for a very special Year of Mercy that he has declared. Standing among throngs of faithful souls, I had the great honor to hear the Pope preach a beautiful sermon in Italian about the need for mercy in this new year. For me, most special of all was at the end of the mass when he appeared at the back steps of the church (next to the Holy Door he had just opened) to say a special New Years blessing to the thousands gathered there to see him. My first time seeing the Pontiff, I am so truly blessed to begin 2016 in such a special and uniquely Roman way! Amen!
Ooh, @Charles Graves IV, this is so neat!
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