Vatican City eyewitnesses

With millions descending upon St. Peter's Square to mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II and await the announcement of a new pope, MSNBC is getting a first-hand glimpse of the event. Below, readers tell the stories of their visits to Vatican City and describe the scene.

A life-changing experience
On Wednesday the 6th of April we planned to get a wake up call and get a taxi to Vatican City to start our wait in line to pay our respects and say goodbye to the Holy Father Pope John Paul ll. As Americans, we started on a rushed sprint to get to the line as quick as possible, when we realized quickly that we were the only ones running. Everyone else was just walking a calm pace, that said, "We get there when we get there". Then we caught on -- these people were not in a rush for anything they were not trying to beat one another to the front of the line -- it was about comforting one another and sharing thoughts about the great human being that the world had just lost. Everyone on line, the thousands of people that we were walking with and meeting were feeling the same loss. It was incredible to see how one human being had touch and influenced so many lives. From one end of the world to the other, it was visible, people from all walks of life.

The crowd was enormous, as you all have seen on TV, yet the it was not a the same feeling you get while waiting in line for hours at Disneyland or waiting to enter the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. It was more peaceful and calm. Everyone very kind to one another, offering cups of coffee, and even panini's and water were passed out by city volunteers (no charge). There was nothing "crazy" about this 10 hour wait (we did not know it would be this long).

By the time we had spent seven hours in line we didn't feel like it was that long. We had met so many people and had so many new stories that had been shared with us that the wait was the last that we were thinking about. At 9 1/2 hours, we were very close to entering the steps of the St. Peter's Basilica. The mood was very calm; whispers were the sounds you heard among the diversity & mixture of people. Slowing moving closer to the awaited holy site.

The closer to the Basilica doors the more soft spoken and quiet whispers became. Once we entered the doors there was absolute silence. The voice of angels singing throughout the Basilica was the only sound, besides the clicking and flash of cameras going off. There was actually one other sound, the wiping of tears and muffled cries from hurting hearts. You could see the sorrow in many faces. It was like being a loved one funeral and comfort was sought in one another's eyes. I get chills just thinking about it every time I tell my story. In fact, I feel blessed that I am able to say "my story" about this moment.

As I arrived to the front of the line and I found my self "there" in front of the Holy Father, lying in state! I was overwhelmed with a feeling of peace and serenity. It was mystical. He looked so tranquil and calm, as if the feeling the was outside for the past ten hours was the same yet more extreme inside, there next to him. Even though his soul was not where his body was laying, I was able to feel what he was all about - faith, peace, harmony, hope and love for people all over the world.

I have come home with a more faith in my catholic religion because of Giovanni Paulo ll has touched my heart even more so after his death. The mystical feeling I cannot describe in detail that came over me by being in front of him, even after death, I cannot put into words.

Giovanni Paulo ll, my eyes will never see the same since I stood before you. For that I thank you.
--Isabel Burcher, Glendale, Calif.

A very moving experience
My wife Gabrielle and I were fortunate enough to be in Rome when the Holy Father passed and it was a very moving experience. We arrived in Rome on Saturday afternoon and from the moment we heard of the Pope's passing we were drawn to St. Peter's Piazza. We attended Sunday morning mass with the hundred of thousands in St. Peter's Piazza and were touched by the overwhelming sense of unity and community among the crowd. During the mass we could not help but to think about the immense reach and impact Pope John Paul II had on people all over the world. To our left stood a boys and girls scout troop from Northern Italy, to the right a contingent from Poland and in front nuns from South America. Everyone was speaking different languages and yet all understanding each other. As the crowd held hands in prayer and offered each other the sign of Peace, you realized we're all one in faith.

The Sunday night candlelight vigil in the Piazza was another exhibit of the goodness John Paul II brought out of people. As pilgrims from around the world were arriving and setting up their sleeping bags on the cobblestones a young man worked his way through the crowd with a large pot of hot soup. He stopped at every makeshift memorial of flowers, candles and personal notes quietly passing out cups of soup to the weary travelers. Not taking, or asking, for a single Euro in return. As we read the notes and looked at all the candles and flowers, a lady from the Philippines was struggling to reach the ledge of the lamppost to leave a candle and note. In her broken English and sign language she asked my wife for help to reach the ledge, her smile and tear in her eye more than expressed her gratitude. 

Pete Newton

We were two of the lucky few that were able to pay our respects to the Pope on Monday night. Waiting in line with tens of thousands of people was an event to be remembered. People from all over the world and walks of life were waiting patiently for hours, passing each other bottles of water handed out by the volunteers and the occasional panini sandwich. As we reached the steps to the Basilica an eerie silence came over the crowd, a serene calm with only the click of camera shutters being heard. 

Walking past the Holy Father you could feel his presence in not only the events of the past couple of days but right there as you pay your last respects. We couldn't help but to reflect on what an incredible man Pope John Paul II was and that only he could bring so many diverse people from around the world together not only during his life but also in his death.
--Pete Newton, Commerce Township, Mich.

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Marvelous pope, marvelous hospitality
I have just returned from an incredible experience. On Thursday morning, at about 7 a.m., after nearly a 12-hour wait in line, I said goodbye to a marvelous human being: Giovanni Paolo II, or as we know Him, Pope John Paul II.  The throngs of humanity more than doubled Rome's population, and yet, there seemed to be an air of civility wherever one ventured. The city opened its arms to the world with plenty of bottled water for the masses, abundant public lavatory (WC) facilities, blankets distributed as the early morning chill came over St. Peter’s Square, and much more.  I dare say that I have never felt so welcomed by a community, and I will be forever grateful for Rome's gracious hospitality during the past three days.  Mille Grazie Roma!!!
–- Terry Spaeth

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