Bologna: Pope, San Petronio, Santo Stefano, September 29 - October 1
We slipped out of Barcelona in the nick of time, the day before the messy election.
Then after taking a taxi, a huge ship, a walk, a normal train and a high speed train we arrived in Bologna, just in time for the visit by the Pope, il Papa Francesco. (Be certain it is "il" and not "la" papa. La papa is "the potato.")
Bologna was in full pope prep mode. Signs about closed streets and rerouted trains and metal guard rails on miles of sidewalks were up. Police scurried. Shops put pope placards in their windows.
On the day of, we planted ourselves, on a sidewalk, under a portico, against a temporary guard rail. We heard gasps and applause. Seconds later, the Popemobile wafted by. He was standing under it's clear canopy and waving out the open sides. The street is narrow. We would be sure to see him close up. When he did pass he was looking right at us. We exchanged eye contact and a smile.
See video below of Il Papa waving at us!
A few blocks later, he arrived to the Piazza Maggiore. There, he stood on the steps of, massive, Basilica di San Petronio and said, with warmth and a smile, "Cari fratelli e sorelle", (dear brothers and sisters). It was so sweet. He continued with kind words of encouragement. The gist was, be a good citizen, care for others, especially those in need.
The piazza maggiore is ground zero for Bologna's "centro storico", (historic center). And Basilica di San Petronio is ground zero for the piazza. In the year 450, Petronio was the bishop of Bologna.
His legacy is the church he built, Santo Stefano, in which he recreated Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre. He wanted to make Bologna, like Jerusalem, a pilgrimage site. The church still stands, 16 centuries later, though with additions, subtractions and alterations. It remains a popular and beloved destination. The triangle of a piazza in front of it is our favorite hangout and where our apartment is located.
Church of Santo Stefano in background
Church of Santo Stefano Interior
Piazza Santo Stefano adjacent to our Bologna apartment
Then after taking a taxi, a huge ship, a walk, a normal train and a high speed train we arrived in Bologna, just in time for the visit by the Pope, il Papa Francesco. (Be certain it is "il" and not "la" papa. La papa is "the potato.") 
On the day of, we planted ourselves, on a sidewalk, under a portico, against a temporary guard rail. We heard gasps and applause. Seconds later, the Popemobile wafted by. He was standing under it's clear canopy and waving out the open sides. The street is narrow. We would be sure to see him close up. When he did pass he was looking right at us. We exchanged eye contact and a smile.
Then after taking a taxi, a huge ship, a walk, a normal train and a high speed train we arrived in Bologna, just in time for the visit by the Pope, il Papa Francesco. (Be certain it is "il" and not "la" papa. La papa is "the potato.") 
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