so you’re hoping that his health improves for your benefit?

what you actually mean… is "I hope the pope doesnt die before i leave!" ?

I hope he’s hale and hearty for the benefit of all.

But selfishly, yes…I want to visit the Vatican.
Which is a fantastic place from what I see in the pics.

(I don’t want to see some religious/hate mail etc).
Just my thoughts on Vatican..and its occupant.

Really?

I’m going to be in rome in april, and I kinda (and I know its really really evil to be even thinking this) think it would be interesting to be there when he dies. Think about it, you could stand in the crown waiting for the white smoke to rise. You’d witness history.

And i’m definately going to hell

The Vatican will still be there if he dies, so just go.

Umm…okay.

About the Vatican: do visit. These few city blocks of Rome, recognized as a sovereign nation since the 1920s (as part of a concession to the pope who insisted he have his own state not a part of unified Italy), are not only an important part of world history, but they are also home to some of Europe’s finest art and architecture. Entering St. Peters Chapel, just follow the crowd to the Sistine Chapel and through the Vatican Musuems. It’s definitely one of those places everyone and their grandma visits, but it’s highly worth it. The Vatican should not be missed on a first-timer’s trip to Rome.

Is there an admission fee?

Scott…I am in Rome..Apr 20-23.
When are you there?

Am from California,US.
You can mail me at eurail@hotmail.com

Does the pope make frequent appearances for it to really make that much of a difference?

The papal audience I attended on Jan. 5, 2005 was truly fascinating, as much for the audience as for seeing the pope, although that was also very interesting. I wasn’t there for religious reasons, but it was nonetheless a moving experience.

It will be the end of an era when he is gone. I can’t imagine a future pope who will be as loved by his flock as this one is.

Before he got sick, he gave the audience every Wednesday, and then either the mass or the wave from St. Peters on Sunday.

Much of the Vatican will be shut down if the pope dies, because the cardinals have to go into "conclave" in the Sistine Chapel and select a new one.

It’s still worth going to Rome, though.

Hopefully Lazio will get relegated one of these seasons !

I hear the odds on the Pope getting relegated before Lazio are staggering.

Papa is more stubborn than a Polish National Defense (ahem, an 80’s one!)

Creeking gates swing the longest!

April 28-May 1

Sorry

I’d pray for an own goal if that wasn’t blasphemy.

In my opinion, Traveler, the papacy is an institution that evolves with the times. If the current pope was "close to the people," true, it could be because of an exceptional pope, but it’s also a relfeciton of the times we’re livng in, IMO. It probably won’t be different with the next pope…and remember folks, there will be a next pope who will probably be just as famous as this one.

That is not to mention any possible rifts within the Catholic church. American Catholics may (or may not), follow some of their Protestant compatriots to stricter religiosity, while Europeans are headed fast towards secularity (the trend right now in Italy and Spain), while at the same time remaining nominally Catholic (or Lutheran, Orthodox, Anglican, what-have-you.)

So, does it cost to go to the Vatican? That would seal my decision.

LOL.
But for anyone interested, check out www.vatican.va .

hello fellow euro-trippers who mentioned upcoming dates they will be in rome….californian girl here who will be there april 26 – may 1. perhaps a eurotrip rendezvous???

Yes, Eurotrip people, when you are in Vatican, you are just across the Adriatic from Albania.

I think it’s best if you come after seeing the wonders and splendic of the Sistina Capel, then you come to Albania. You can take ferry from that bad port town of Bari to Durres, our port city.

In Albania you will see many things you simply can’t see in Vatican. Plus, we have prices that are the friendly to the pocket of the westerner backpack.

I tell you, if you are interested, you post on here. It’s possible for me to sail my vessel to Italy and meet you. From there we can go. And there is this lucrative business for us as well. It’s possible for me to fill the belly of my vessel with Albanian cigaretes on the trip over, and since I hold passport from Greenland (Denmark), I can bring these cigarette to Italy. From there we sell them

Hang on Papa..I will be in Vatican soon!

<<That is not to mention any possible rifts within the Catholic church. American Catholics may (or may not), follow some of their Protestant compatriots to stricter religiosity, while Europeans are headed fast towards secularity (the trend right now in Italy and Spain), while at the same time remaining nominally Catholic (or Lutheran, Orthodox, Anglican, what-have-you.)>>

luv_the_beach: I think "may not" is more likely. Are you an American Catholic? Most of us (at least here in southern CA) believe that the Catholic church is too conservative. Now it has gotten much better in the past fifty years, but some of the views are still outdated. I don’t picture very many American Catholics turning to more conservative. I suppose some of the most staunch Bush supporters might, but the average Catholic (especially those under 60) will probably not.

As for the Vatican, it is closed down at the moment. Who knows how long it will stay that way? However, if you get a chance to go, it’s worth it. There is a fee to get in (about 10 euros for the Vatican museum) but as far as I remember, St. Peter’s is free. If you go to the Vatican museums, don’t just rush to the Sistine Chapel; there are many wonderful works of art on the way there.