The duomo that rose over Rome was the same duomo that rose over the entire Catholic Church. It was the symbol of Catholic authority.
Upon Sofia and Signora Angelino’s return home, Rome was abuzz with activity. The most recent Pope had fallen ill and passed away within the last two weeks. Many devout Catholics attended the Pope’s burial and prayed during a time of mourning. Now, they waited for the election of the new Pope.
The College of Cardinals gathered in the Pauline Chapel within Vatican City to elect a new Pope. Sofia must have passed by Vatican City, the city within a city, a thousand times.
“Mama?”
“Yes, my dear?”
“Can we visit Saint Peter’s Basilica?”
“If you would like…what brought that on?”
“I have never been there.”
“Sure you have…”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Never?”
Sofia shook her head.
“Then we must go. The Papal election is coming tomorrow afternoon. We will watch for the white smoke.”
“Ah, the white smoke.”
“Then, it’s a date.”
Smoke was the universal symbol of the election results. Black smoke meant no Pope had been chosen. White smoke, however, meant there was a new Pope. After the Cardinals took a vote, the ballots were burned. Artificial means (like damp straw or hay) were used to color the smoke black. To avoid confusion, the Cardinals also tolled a bell to signal a successful election.
The next morning, Sofia was up early with her father, watching the television. A mass of thousands gathered inside Saint Peter’s square within the walls of Vatican City. Everyone waited and watched for quite some time. Then, the signal went up. A heavy white flume came from the chimney pipe. Everyone cheered, including Sofia and her father.
Signora Angelino emerged from the bathroom.
“A new Pope?”
“Si, mama!” shouted Sofia triumphantly as trip across town. It was only a short distance, but the journey would become a personal crusade.
Everyone rushed to Signore Angelino’s Fiat. They drove down the hill, but as soon as they faced the main intersection, it was clogged with traffic.
Sofia had never been amidst this chaos before. Across the city, the Pope-elect faced a similar situation. The head of the Cardinal College, the Cardinal Dean, held conference with the Pope-elect.
“Bishop, do you accept your election as Supreme Pontiff?”
“Yes, I accept.”
The Cardinal Dean led the Bishop to a small red room known as the Room of Tears. A full adornment of clothes waited within.
He first put on his white alb, a simple papal robe and added the small shoulder linen known as the amice. He draped the gold maniple cape over his shoulders, followed by the red scarf known as the stole.
Embroidered gold crosses filled out the design of the stole. Tiny red crosses, made of metal, decorated the fringe. They jingled as the bishop tied them in place with a thin silk cord he wore as a belt. He ran his hands along the smooth edges of his papal robes as he looked in the mirror.
Meanwhile, Signore Angelino had found a space for his tiny Fiat and he led his family towards the Vatican. The nearer they got, the thicker the crowds got.
“We should stop at a restaurant,” pleaded Sofia’s mother.
“Have a little faith and we’ll make it.”
The Cardinal Dean gave a knock on the door to the Room of Tears.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The Cardinal Dean opened the door and gave the Bishop a quick check.
“Where is your scepter and pallium? And your ring?”
“I nearly forgot.”
The bishop returned to the vanity and put on the final touches. He stood still while the Cardinal Dean carefully installed the pallium upon his head. Now, he was about to officially be introduced as Pope.
The Angelinos, however, were just on the other side of the River Tiber, with the rest of Rome.
“Come with me,” said father.
He led them cross-wise through the city streets, seemingly away from the direction of all other traffic. However, the going was smooth as they weaved through the empty cross streets. Signore Angelino zigged and zagged until they reached a bridge.
“The Tiber!” exclaimed Sofia.
“The Duomo!” said father as he pointed up to their final destination. The Via Cola di Rienzo lay ahead, a near-straight shot towards the dome. Meanwhile, a loud cheer came from that very direction.
When the Bishop was ready, the Cardinal Dean proceeded to the balcony. The long, red curtain opened and the Cardinal appeared athe balcony. The crowd greeted him enthusiastically.
“Hermanos e hermanas, il piacere di presentare il papa.” – Brothers and sisters, it is my pleasure to introduce the Pope.
Another cheer went up as the Bishop emerged from behind the red curtains. Now, he was officially Pope – the Bishop of Rome and reigning leader of the Catholic Church.
As he addressed the crowd, Signore Angelino fought through the crowds, slowly making his way to the dome. The Pope’s voice echoed in the streets of Rome as it sounded from the Public Address speakers encircling the Vatican. At the end of each verse, the crowd responded in unison.
“Amen!”
The Angelinos echoed that sentiment as they continued onward through the crowds.
“Amen!” said Papa.
“Amen!” said Mama.
“Amen!” said Sofia.
As if it were a miracle, the crowds suddenly seemed to thin as they turned onto the road into the heart of Vatican City. Ahead lie the massive complex of buildings, each one held upright by strong Roman columns. The great obelisk and fountain marked the central square, which wasn’t square at all, but circular. The basilica sat at the far end. The tiny figure of the Pope loomed large in the balcony window.
“There he is!” said father.
Sofia nodded.
They passed through the square. The first thing Sofia noticed were the men in strange gold, purple, and red striped garb, along with dark violet Renaissance-era hats.
“Who are those men?”
“It’s the Swiss Guard. They are the personal bodyguards of the Vatican.”
“With only about 100 soldiers,” added Signora Angelino, “they’re also the world’s smallest army.”
“”Why would anyone need the world’s smallest army?” asked Sofia.
“The Pope’s power has evolved since the times of the Crusades. The Pope doesn’t need a large-scale army anymore.”
The Vatican had indeed gone through many changes throughout its history. Before the Swiss Guard even came into existence, the Papacy had other concerns. Chief among them was the Crusades.
Around 1095, the Papal States were still battling for control of Rome. The Byzantine Empire still existed, but like the old Western Empire, it was a shadow of its former self. Turks had even threatened the former Christian stronghold of Jerusalem. Seeing this, Pope Urban had sought help from his followers. He urged Christian soldiers to take up arms in the name of the Lord. He also asked them to march on Jerusalem.
The Crusades lasted over several generations and many Popes. It wasn’t until around the time of the enlistment of the Swiss Guard that the Papacy was no longer at odds with the Turks and the Byzantine Empire no longer posed a threat to Rome.
“Let’s see Sistine Chapel,” offered father.
They made their way inside the Chapel, which was packed with people. Still, Sofia enjoyed the many museum housed within the chapel. From statues to sculptures to paintings, all forms of art were represented. It was almost too much to take in.
Sofia looked skyward.
There was also the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Painted in fresco, it featured some of the world’s greatest works, including the famous outstretched hand of Adam reaching out for the “Hand of God”.
“At long last!” proclaimed Sofia, “I’ve visited all of Italy’s famous places.”
“All of Italy’s famous places?” asked mother.
“Not by a long shot,” said father.
“What else is there?”
“You haven’t even been to my birthplace in Milan,” said mother.
“Or mine in Florence,” said father.
“I guess there are still other places to go.”
As they headed home, the thoughts of brace new adventures danced in Sofia’s head. She had heard the tales of both of her parents’ hometowns, but she had never been to either. Just like the Vatican City, she wondered if Milan or Florence would be as exciting as Naples, Venice, or Vatican City.
She could hardly wait to find out.
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