- Feb 5, 2002
- 179,342
- 64,392
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
ROME (CNS) — Smiles, laughter, prayer and strategizing abound at the Bishops’ Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican.
Just a few blocks from Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain, the visitors’ office is where hundreds of Americans — and not only — go on Tuesday afternoons to pick up their tickets for the pope’s weekly general audience on Wednesdays.
They are welcomed by the Mercy Sisters of Alma, Michigan, aided by U.S. priests and seminarians studying in Rome. The office is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pontifical North American College.
After requesting tickets online before beginning their journeys, the visitors pick up their tickets at the office in Rome and receive clear information on when to get to the Vatican for the audience and what to bring or not bring — metal water bottles and rolling suitcases topping the no-no list.
The sisters also explain that sitting near the central aisle in the audience hall or near any barricade in St. Peter’s Square will give guests the best chance to see Pope Francis up close.
And, at least at the visitors’ orientation Feb. 4, Mercy Sister Celeste Mary Poche spilled the beans about sitting or standing near a baby — always a pope magnet.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
Just a few blocks from Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain, the visitors’ office is where hundreds of Americans — and not only — go on Tuesday afternoons to pick up their tickets for the pope’s weekly general audience on Wednesdays.
They are welcomed by the Mercy Sisters of Alma, Michigan, aided by U.S. priests and seminarians studying in Rome. The office is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pontifical North American College.
After requesting tickets online before beginning their journeys, the visitors pick up their tickets at the office in Rome and receive clear information on when to get to the Vatican for the audience and what to bring or not bring — metal water bottles and rolling suitcases topping the no-no list.
The sisters also explain that sitting near the central aisle in the audience hall or near any barricade in St. Peter’s Square will give guests the best chance to see Pope Francis up close.
And, at least at the visitors’ orientation Feb. 4, Mercy Sister Celeste Mary Poche spilled the beans about sitting or standing near a baby — always a pope magnet.
Continued below.
Nuns catechize and guide U.S. visitors to the Pope's audience
Pilgrims pick up tickets and receive guidance from the Mercy Sisters at the Bishops' Office for U.S. Visitors in the Vatican.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
