THE VATICAN AND MASS WITH PAPA FRANCESCO!!

Woke up in ROME with this guy…and Papa, Uncle Jon, Mama ad Dada!  As Kater would say, “My bucket is full!”

We THOUGHT mass was at noon, however, found out at the last minute that it was at 10:00AM!  Man, did we have to rush!  After three Ubers cancelled on us, we headed to the Metro!  The first Metro was so full, we literally could not get on!  So we had to wait for the next one.  Papa Francesco, we’re TRYING! John reminded everyone to mind their wallets—we certainly didn’t want to be pickpocketed!

And guess who got pick pocketed?  John did!  OMG, it happened SO FAST, right out of his velcroed shut pocket!  (He was fake smiling here!)

We made it to St. Peter’s Square, however, we were TOO LATE and the doors were closed.  😳  And the Pope was feeling better and was inside saying mass. 😳

The first time we were in Rome, John and I saw the Pope say mass in St. Peter’s Square.  It was AMAZING!  The last time we were there, we got to go to mass in the Basilica, however, the Pope was out of town.  This time, the Pope was saying mass in the Basilica, we had tickets to see him there, but we ended up having to listen to him outside!!!  It was still amazing watching him on the big screen while listening to the magnificent choirs singing, even though we were standing outside with our bright green entry tickets in our hands.  So close, and yet so far!

Back on the Metro (August LOVES the metro!) and back to our condo we went, to change into shorts and tees!  We are LOVING the warm weather here in Rome!

Jason found a cafe for lunch right around our Airbnb, which was absolutely delightful!  The food was out of this world, and we sat right at an open window where we could watch the people strolling by!

A musician entered the cafe playing music and August was captivated!

Is this not the most awesome photo ever taken in Rome on a family vacation?  I absolutely LOVE IT!

So far, August gives Rome, Italy a great big thumbs up!