There were two lines leading to the Basilica of St. Peter's - one going inside the basilica and the other towards the Vatican Museums. The nun opt to visit the tomb of the late Pope John Paul II within the museum. We followed in tow. Security measures duplicated the ones at any airport today but without the removal of shoes. Why? For reasons unknown, I kept my misgivings regarding the possibility of terrorist attacks to myself. Walking through the maze of artwork in the string of galleries took some twenty or thirty minutes for us who really did not bother to stop and appreciate their lines, color or form. We were fully concerned in paying our respects to the much-loved Pontiff of our time- John Paul II and nothing more. Besides we were on time constraints.
The tomb of the late Pope John Paul II was the grand finale of the Vatican Museum tour. It was as simple as the man who lay there! We bowed our heads in prayer for someone who had touched the hearts of
Catholics all over the world. In fact, his influence crossed the barriers of distance, race, religion or gender. He was respected and deeply loved as the Vicar of Christ on earth!
My thoughts went back to that memorable day in October, 1999 when Glo Reyes and Vangie Chaves, my two very good friends and travel mates were with me in Rome. Through a lady in our tour group whom I helped find the Secretariat of the Office of Social Affairs near the Trevi fountain, we managed to get seats for an audience with the late Pope John Paul II. Being in a strategic preferred area, I had a handshake with the Pope. I remember clasping his right hand which was big but was so very smooth like that of a baby. His smiles reflected on his blue eyes and the cordial touch of his hand truly lifted my spirits to high heavens! I knew even then that the memory of the warm handshake would be forever etched in my mind and heart.
