Today, April 27, 2014 Rome is experiencing a real invasion of pilgrims who have come from all over the world to personally observe the process of canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII in the Vatican.
We suggest you look at what is happening through the eyes of a local resident. So, the chronology of events:
We went down from Gianicolo Hill around eight in the morning and it became obvious that getting to the square near St. Peter's Basilica would be comparable to a miracle, since there was already a crowd on Via di Pora San Spirito, located about a kilometer from the square. Most of the pilgrims arrived in a few days, and they started launching the people from 5.30 in the morning. We wrote that many hotels specifically took advantage of the situation and inflated prices, but even having money on these dates it was not easy to find accommodation in Rome. Since the yard is the end of April, many have chosen to sleep on the street.
We decided to get around the crowd a bit and went along the river along Lungotevere Vaticano.
Everyone is in a positive mood, but at the same time a little tired.
Queue to the toilets.
That's about roughly how you have to sleep in Rome, if you do not take care of finding a cheap hotel in Rome in advance.
The guys from Bangladesh rebranded the company and instead of red roses, umbrellas and all kinds of trinkets, they began to sell paraphernalia related to dads. Such a flag with Pope Francis can be bought for 1 euro.
Via San Pio X 2 hours before the canonization ceremony. To see St. Peter's Basilica you only need to walk 50 meters and turn left, but this is no longer possible.
Okay, we’re moving to the castle of the Holy Angel. Most of the pilgrims from Poland - this is noticeable by the flags, and it is obvious, since one of the Popes John Paul II (Karol Jozef Wojtyla) was a Pole.
This is the maximum distance that we managed to approach. Corner of Via della Conciliazione and Piazza Pia. Another 15 meters and I would see the Vatican, but this time it was not destined. Of course, as a local resident, I could have taken a seat earlier, for example, in the evening, but then I would have taken a place from one of the pilgrims, who have traveled a very difficult path.
Most just came for the atmosphere and did not even aspire to the crowd.
Someone was not upset at all - he danced and sang praises to dads.
They say that the Vatican has bought 4 million bottles of water, which was distributed free of charge to everyone. The guys from Bangladesh were upset, because they usually manage to blow it for 2 euros to tourists who are afraid to drink perfectly clean water from the fountains. Water really was distributed, it stood in many places for free - this is a fact.
The cafe owners are very pleased with this influx of tourists. There are no lines at eight in the morning on Sunday.
We decided to walk around the city in the direction of Venice Square. On the bridge of the Holy Angel, fans of the Lech football club from the city of Poznan wrote: “OJCZE SWIENTY JANIE PAWLE II KIBICE KOLEJORZA PAMETAJA” (HOLY FATHER JOHN PAVEL II FANS OF KOLEJORZA REMEMBER).
It was possible to go to the bridge, but to see something - no.
Carabinieri serve on all possible modes of transport.
The mood is positive.
One of the few non-Polish flags.
A tired pilgrim from Poland - this morning the maximum that he sees is the dome of the cathedral.
Many came as whole families with children.
Having finally made sure that nothing interesting awaits us here, we came to Navona Square. Again queues in cafes.
Everyone is waiting.
Closer to the center of the square it is already problematic to move, since everything is occupied by vacationers. Of course, I have seen crowds of tourists on Navona more than once, but this is the first concentration of such concentration.
The girl is studying the map, perhaps someday she will have a chance to see Rome different.
There is a screen at the far end of the square, a small one, believe me.
In crowded but not mad.
The scout team wisely fenced off a piece of territory.
Experienced tourists arrived with their chairs.
A gorgeous four young Spaniards are studying the biography of John Paul II right on Piazza Navona.
Especially for the canonization of published more than one series of books.
Well done.
And someone is enjoying the real Italian ice cream, also lying down.
Less than an hour was left before the ceremony. I didn’t know if these guys woke up.
Sweet couple.
The ride was exhausting.
The main atmosphere.
Saying goodbye to Navona, we headed to the Coliseum. There were fewer people here, at least freer. A screen was placed on Via dei Fori Imperiali, and it was more or less comfortable to watch what was happening.
Activists hang out family flags on the Altar of the Fatherland building.
No hotel - spend the night in a tent, in Rome you can.
Exactly at 10 the ceremony began.
Still, the best view was on TV, but, in my opinion, all these people did not come here for this. Of course, we can assume that some naively believed to get to St. Peter's Square, but they were especially fanatical, but most of the people came for the atmosphere. They wanted to be involved in a great event, they sincerely believe in God, and the Polish people should learn pride and patriotism for their native country.
