You will note that there are two Slow Trav members in it -- me and my blog -- and Steph's site on What's On in Rome. I saw the great info. she had on her site (via this forum), linked to it from my blog and told the USA TODAY reporter about it when she called me!
It was the travel reporter for the paper who called me. She has a mention at the bottom of the article. But I guess the guy with the byline put it all together. In general, I'm sensing there is going to be a great deal of ongoing interest in Italy. This Pope coverage is practically a 24/7 commercial for the place (not to be disrepectful at all!). Some of the tv shots of Rome are so beautiful that I want to cry. Okay, I love that place too much!
The Vatican Museum will be open Tomorrow and Thursday, April 6th & 7th. It will be closed on Friday for the funeral. And I have not heard anything yet about Saturday onward.
Just read a press release from the Vatican. The Sistine chapel will remain closed starting Thursday, April 7, in preparation for the conclave, for which they have yet to set a date.
Thanks for the mention, Kathy. I will return the favor if USA Today calls.
I have never seen the like of what is happening in Rome. Hundreds of thousands of people clog the streets leading to the Vatican to see the Pope, most shooting fotos with their cellulars or even videotaping. They have medical personnel in place to give first aid to those who collapse or get sick. Some people forgot to take their usual medicines with them, apparently not understanding how long they would be in this line and have suffered for it. The medico interviewed warned to bring something to eat, even cookies. I think no one could have foreseen this vast situation and they are doing the best they can. If one is in Rome and has a room, that's lucky. Probably the best thing for a traveler is to concentrate on classical Rome and forget the Vatican. Or get out of town fast.
Reuters reports "gridlock" or near-chaos, with police being unable to clear streets, cars becoming trapped in floods of pedestrians, "hordes" arriving from everywhere and having nowhere to stay, etc. A good place to stay away from — unless you want to catch a piece of history.
Bill, I'm glad to see you've come to your senses after that talk of scrambling to Rome.
Away from the Vatican it is a different story, of course. In my neighborhood you wouldn't be able to tell anything was going on at all.
I was in the center yesterday around Piazza Venezia and Piazza Navona. There was a bit more traffic than usual, but nothing serious. There are some signs. For example loads of police were at Piazza Venezia. I asked why just to hear their reply, which was, "you know, for the Pope." There was a lot of foot traffic on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Sidestreets were empty.
Lots of groups, all wearing a hat or scarf of something to identify themselves. Many scout groups. Loads of young people picnicking at Patheon, reminded me of the giubileo dei giovani.
People carrying Pope souvenirs.
But otherwise, business as usual. Bars, cafes and restaurants full. Piazza Navona full of artists and tourists. Went to the Renato Guttuso exhibition (excellent!) and there weren't many people but it was Tuesday morning.
The only major difference I saw was as I waited for the bus. Six (6!!!) number 62 buses passed as I waited for mine. It is one of the special buses running 24 hours a day to the Vatican.
Last night they were saying the wait to get into the basilica was running anywhere from 6-10 hours. I think that might have increased today. They only close from 3-5am for cleaning. They are saying not to get in line tomorrow afternoon as you won't have time before the close the basilica to prepare for the funeral.
Steph, I'd be there: wouldn't miss the occasion for anything, although I have no particular brief for this particular Pope, who in order to to protect his flock, saw fit to appease Islam (strengthening their hand against the West), and in order to consolidate the church, demonized gay people in the most appalling language while not doing much against pedophiles and their protectors in the hierarchy — this last, I might have done the same thing, to preserve the independence of the church against governments (who historically have used the crimes of priests as the thin end of the wedge). The first mistake, in particular, was a dangerous one and I fear it will come back to bite us even worse than it has already.
Still, no one's perfect, and the event is one I would not have stayed away from.
THe radio news this morning reported increased prices for food and drinks in the Vaticano area, though. So, if you are in Rome, and want to go to the Vaticano square, bring along water and food!
The city announced a special task force checking on price gouging which has been reported. They also announced police in borghese on the buses to check for pickpockets.
...appease Islam, strengthening their hand... ??? O mamma mia!
All private traffic banned in Rome starting at midnight on Thursday through Friday afternoon.
Big screens showing the funeral ceremony for those who can't make it to the Vatican at Piazza del Popolo, Circo Massimo, S. Giovanni, S. Paolo, Stadio Olimpico, Stadio Flaminio and Tor Vergata.
Starting this evening, you can no longer get in line to see the pope in the basilica. Not enough time left considering the lines. Basilica closes at 10pm on Thursday.
We all have our own views on this Pope and the Catholic Church - but let's keep them to ourselves. Bill's remarks were not callous - I am sure much worse things are being said on other forums. But let's close this part of the discussion and just talk about this event as it relates to travel.
The news here is announcing that as of about midday on Wednesday in Rome the police were no longer going to allow anyone else to join the line to view the Pope's body.
Where exactly does the line go after Via della Conciliazione? The reporters talk about the line making several left hand turns, but they never say if that's from the perspective of one looking at the line from the Vatican or as someone on the line. At it's longest, where was/is the end of the line?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: ellens,
ellen
Posts: 3020 | Location: mahwah, new jersey, usa | Registered: 10 December 2003
Bill, I thought this was a travel forum. While I understand and appreciate that the Pope elicits strong feelings from people, I do not think this an appropriate venue for espousing thoughts on religion and politics. There are probably more than a few people who take umbrage to this. Joan
I would like to see where the line is going as well. Too bad they don't show a map of the area to track the line. Then where do the pilgrims go after the view the pope? Must be quite a task to get them out of the area quickly.
I would love to be there right now, but don't know if I would have the fortitude to wait online for so many hours. What an experience, though!
The conclave is set for April 18th and will last at least a few days.I would say that the vatican museums etc will be closed until maybe the end of April.RR
ellens & Sera, you can see photos of the line to view the pope on the la repubblica webpage. www.repubblica.it click on the link "(FOTO)" under the headline following the text "Una folla immensa" The line appears to wrap around and follow the covered passage to Castel San Angelo
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