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Today our group went to the General Audience with Pope Benedict. Dr. Scott Hahn was able to get a special ticket (he’d been working on it for a year, I think). After the final blessing he was able to meet the pope and present him with his latest books. You will see him describe it on the video.
Everyone was very happy to see the pope — most for the first time in their lives. It was a beautiful day and most had great seats. The pope goes through the crowd in his pope mobile so many get to see him up close.
After the General Audience we took the bus out the Via Appia Antica to our very nice restaurant outside under a canopy of vines with fountains gurgling behind. It was hard to break away.
We then walked across the street and descended into the St. Sebastian Catacombs, after which we had Mass in one of the seven pilgrim churches in Rome — St. Sebastians. He was a Roman soldier that converted to Christianity and was eventually martyred for his faith.
After Mass we came back to our hotel for Dr. Hahn’s excellent talk on the theology of Pope Benedict (perfect culmination to meeting him today!) and then everyone scattered to the many fine cafes in Rome for dinner and gelato.