ROME 25/10 – Day 1: Rientro

Today in Rome the Sun rose at 07:02, I watched it from the airplane, and it will set at 18:59.

The Ave Maria Bell ought to ring at 19:15.

Our landing was smooth, but they parked up at a remote site.  We deplaned by stairs and got into busses.  Happily, they took us directly to the entrance by the passport control, so there wasn’t the need to make that loooong trudge.   Of course that also meant that the baggage would be slow.

Passport control was a ZOO.  However, they opened a file for us and we went through the switchbacks unimpeded to automated readers.   Remarkably, by the time I got to the baggage carrousel, our bags were coming!   Remarkable, really.

The wait for a cab wasn’t too long and the driver was affable and voluble and had thoughts about Pope Leo… good thoughts.   Sunday morning, no traffic.  There was, however, near St. Peter’s a massive line to get in, I suppose, for a papal Mass in the square.  It is the World Day for Immigrants, etc.

Today for me it’s the 16th Sunday after Pentecost.  If you are bored, Colligite Fragmenta: HERE

I slept most of the flight this time, so I am in pretty good shape.

I have made my first coffee.

I got in early enough to steam the wrinkles from my cassock and get ready to go to …

THE PARISH™

for Mass.   The World’s Best Sacristan™ has been texting me.  The Great Roman™ will be there, too.

Like coming home.

It feels good to be here.  I’m already regretting I didn’t plan a longer trip.

More later.

UPDATE:

I made it to Mass!  What a relief to be there.

Light lunch with The Great Roman™.     We split these.

Slices of fig with bottarga.

A diminutive parmigiana di melanzane.

Pizza bianca, shaved tongue, homemade mayo and green herb sauce.

The day unfolds.