Speaking with the pilgrims in Saint Peter’s Square

A Door for humanity

Massimo Tarantino

Nearly one million pilgrims crossed the threshold of the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Peter’s during the first two days of the Jubilee, Christmas and Boxing Day. Just a few hours after the opening by the Pope the door was literally assaulted by the faithful, to the extent that the “sampietrini” (employees of the Vatican) were forced to organise proper lines of waiting pilgrims. The “invasion”, to some extent, interfered with the Christmas Mass presided over by Cardinal Noé who, himself, had also entered the basilica crossing the Door. The first small crowds formed as the mass was underway, while at the start of the morning Saint Peter’s, just hours after the conclusion of the feast of Holy Night, appeared practically empty. Only at midday, when the Pope appeared at the central loggia for the Angelus and “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, did the faithful temporarily forget the Door and took seat in the square to listen to his words and receive his blessing. The following day, Boxing Day, there were many more people crossing the Holy Door leading Monsignor Sepe, Secretary of the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee to declare that the spirit of participation of the pilgrims was extraordinary and had gone beyond the expectations.  Speaking with the first pilgrims in line in front of the Door on Christmas morning one could clearly pick out the feelings of expectation, emotion, participation, that accompanied them just metres from the signed for crossing of the threshold. For some that day was “the most beautiful day of their lives”. Many admitted they could not express in words the feelings that they were experiencing. One lady, head of a group of Uruguayans, confided: “It’s already the third time that I cross the Door. I dedicated the experience early this morning entirely to myself. It was a perfect moment to gather in prayer, there were still very few people. But from the second time onwards I had to think of the people that asked me to pray also for them. They are people who could not afford a trip to Rome during the Jubilee year. So, I am crossing the door various times for them, for those who will not be able to personally live this memorable experience”. In line there were people coming from all over the world. On Christmas Day there weren’t many Romans (probably too busy have Christmas lunches and exchanging presents), while a part of the world appeared gathered around the cradle of Christianity. Those who waited for the Pope to come to his window at midday were truly able to feel they were citizens of the world. There were large crowds of Latin Americans: Brazilians, Uruguayans and Argentines. A group of crazy young Mexicans sang songs in honour of the Pope without break before, during and after his appearance. But there were also Eastern Europeans, the group from the Czech Republic was noticeable, and recalled the visit just days earlier of President Havel for the conference on Hus. There were also many enthusiastic Japanese. A large number of Indonesians were present, and Asians in general. The Pope addressed his Christmas greetings in 59 languages, even in Senegalese and Bengalese, a record. He also spoke out against violence and the many cruel massacres, because there are still “many places where there is pain and war”. His discourse was focused on the defence of life, which on the following day, Boxing Day, was extended to the defence of the rights of the family. The Pope also exalted Christ “Door of life” and recalling that “sometimes this world does not respect and does not love life”, he said, in a confidential manner: “But are You not tired of loving it, rather, in the mystery of Christmas, You come to clear the minds, so that legislators and governors, men and women of good will may commit to receive the life of man, as a precious gift”.