12 October
 Even going into St. Peter's Square in front of the basilica requires going through security now. Here our group lines up for the metal detectors and bag inspection. We left the hotel at 8:00 AM to get through security and secure our reserved places for the 10:30 AM audience. |
The facade of St. Peter's. We were lucky the day was partly cloudy because it was very warm sitting in the sun while we waited. |
 Our deaf group was in a special reserved space next to the Pope's position, on top of the steps up to St. Peter's. From there we could look out over the square at the 50,000 people who were gathered. |
 Finally at 10:30 AM, preceded by announcements of the different groups represented at the audience, the pope appeared riding in a white open jeep. |
 Two of the Swiss Guard, standing near a section reserved for dignitaries. Their uniforms were designed by Michelangelo. |
 Pope Benedict XVI gave a reflection on one of the psalms and then gave greetings to the crowd in five or six languages. Here he acknowledges the cheers from one group after their name was read out. |
 At the end of the audience, the pope went close to the crowds in the special sections on either side of him, waving and shaking hands. He shook hands with three of our group who squirmed to the front. |
 In the afternoon, Geraldine Chin reported about the activities of the Catholic deaf group in Sabah, in East Malaysia. |
 Fr. Peter Monty was the celebrant for the mass at the conference center, and the group from India worked with him to prepare it. Here Rowland Yeo, a deaf Franciscan brother, reads the first reading. |
 After supper we had a wonderful three-hour walking tour to see Rome at night. Here the group pauses on a stairway overlooking the ancient Roman Forum of Julius Caesar. |
 Finally a group of very tired tourists sat down for the ride back to the Trastevere section of Rome on a light train or tram. |