Pope Benedict XVI - last public Mass

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday - the first day of Lent. Our chaplain is overseas at the moment, so it has been hard to find a replacement priest to celebrate Mass for us. Our plan for Ash Wednesday was to have Mass at School at 6:30am - it was our only option. Then on Tuesday, it was announced that the Holy Father would celebrate Mass at St Peter's on Wednesday afternoon. So, we cancelled class....and also got to sleep in.

We went down to St Peter's Square a couple of hours before Mass started. The line was huuuuuuuuuuuge. Luckily the Basilica is massive, so we managed to get in. Actually, we would have been able to find seats half way up, but decided to take our favourite seats - right at the back where the entrance procession begins.

The priests, bishops and cardinals entered first, followed by the Holy Father. There was complete silence.

 Pope Benedict XVI walked into St Peter's Basilica for his last public Mass

After the blessing of the ashes at the back of the Basilica, the Holy Father got on his wheely-thing and whizzed up the aisle.

 Pope Benedict XVI

The Mass was beautiful. In his homily, the Holy Father asked for our prayers. "For me it is a good opportunity to thank everyone, especially the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, as I prepare to conclude my Petrine ministry, and ask for a special remembrance in prayer". (Full text of homily)

Before the end of Mass, the Pope's Secretary of State addressed the Holy Father with words of thanks. (Farewell Address). The congregation responded with applause. The atmosphere was incredible. It was more moving than any World Youth Day or any other papal event. There was no cheering or hype, it was just steady clapping that went on for some minutes. It was a genuine expression of thanks and support for the Holy Father for his faithful service. It was sad in some ways, but very beautiful. 

After the final blessing, the Holy Father followed at the end of the procession of priests and bishops, and whizzed back down the aisle. This time it was much slower. Now, the congregation were clapping loudly and cheering. He was smiling and blessing the people as he went past. We were right at the back so we could see that his priests and bishops were waiting for him behind the partition, smiling and clapping for him. 

We were so happy to have been at the Mass. Usually, no one knows when they are attending a Pope's final Mass, because it is usually the last one before he dies. This was very special!