Today was our day for attending the 10:30 Mass at St. Peters.  We left early to make sure we were in line at the front.  The Mass is held at the Main Alter (not the alter the Pope celebrates at which is under the Canopy).  After the 9:30 Mass was complete the gates were open and we were able to get seats in the first five pews right in front of the Main Alter.  A magnificent and august table.  It's hard to describe your emotions when the organ starts for the Mass at such a remarkable venue.  I literally had tears in my eyes as the procession entered for Mass.  The procession consisted of one Cardinal about 10 Bishops and about 50 priests.  Any priest visiting in Rome can participate in the Mass in vestments.  As you would expect the Mass was conducted entirely in Latin, and the small choir, and cantors were exceptional as virtually all the liturgy except the first two readings is conducted in Chant.  The readings were done by lay people including one of our group who was asked to do the second reading.  The gifts were brought to the alter by a family picked from the audience - Mother, Father and a boy and girl probably 6 or 8 years old.  The church is for the people and this is how St. Peters makes sure that it stays that way.  After this wonderful service, we adjourned to St. Peter's Square for the Papal blessing which happened precisely at Noon.  Judging by the broad smile on the Pope's face, this is a highlight of his week.  He pronounced his blessing in six different languages, as pilgrims around the world applauded his words as their native language was announced. 

A quite lunch and afternoon on this glorious sunny, crisp day, and off to dinner in a few hours, followed by Monte Cassino and Pompeii tomorrow.