Today we went to Saint Peter's Basilica for the first mass of the African Synod. The Basilica was absolutly packed. There must have been about 10,000 people there. The processions of Deacons, priests, Bishops, Cardinals, Swiss Guard and the Pope took nearly 20 minutes. We also had Nuns singing and dancing to African music at the end of mass. The Pope celebrated, the mass being said in Latin, Italian, English, Lingala, Swahli, Amarico, Portugese, Hausa, Arabo and Kikongo. Latin and Italian being used for the main parts of the liturgy, the Gospel being said in English, with the hymns, etc, being sung in the other languages mentioned. The mass itself took nearly 3 hours but truly portrayed the universal church.
Having finished at about 11.40, the Pope had 20 minutes before he said the Angelus, a Sunday tradition here. Not a bad sheduale for a man in his 80's.
No comments:
Post a Comment