From Rome to Rio...A Papal Pilgrimage

  It seems everywhere you turn these days, Rio is front and center stage to some major world cultural or sporting event.  Well this past week, the city's pristine beaches along the famed Copacabana hosted Pope Francis and some 3 million Catholics, who made the pilgrimage to Brazil for World Youth Day 2013.  For two days, our little family was blessed to have front row seats for the Papal parades, the opening prayer service, and the live enactment of the Way of the Cross--all from our 22nd floor hotel room.   This experience is surely one we will cherish for a lifetime!

 Enjoy the photos!



The hotel window even opened up, so we were treated to concerts each night.

Sharing in this experience with Graham--even though he will surely never remember!  My parents took my sister and I to see Pope John Paul when he visited New Orleans in 1987.

The cross from the previous photo was hung on the alter.



Each evening Pope Francis was flown in on a helicopter to the nearby military base before parading along the 2.5 mile stretch of Copacabana.  It was quite impressive to see the throngs of people flood the streets and beaches!

Huge projector screens were set up adjacent to the stage, so we were able to watch the Holy Father's entire procession from the military base until his convoy made their way to the main staging area.

And he is almost to us!

This was right before Pope Francis made his way to the alter.

The red and blue illuminated areas were the stages for last two Stations of the Cross before the procession made its way to the main stage in front of the Holy Father.

Members of the Brazil Navy participated in the Way of the Cross procession...how refreshing! 

Pope Francis was so gracious as this little boy raced up the alter and past the body guards to embrace him.  The crowd erupted in cheers! Definitely a goose-bump moment for me!

The locals set up tents and prepared delicacies to sell to the tourists in the area.

Graham taking in all of the excitement!

Rio 101

  Our initial Tuesday tour plans fell through, so Plan B was a four-hour crash course on the history of Rio de Janeiro.  (Seeing history conjures up much more intrigue than hearing it!)  Our guide historian, Leonardo walked us back through time in Centro along the old commerce, black-and-white cobbled streets to many of the Portuguese colonial structures and historical churches.  (We highly recommend Leonardo to anyone who may be planning to visit.)  This tour gave us a glimpse of the colorful past and rich history of Rio, beyond the beaches--plenty of intrigue indeed!

So we were told that after each semester, freshmen from the universities slap paint on themselves if they pass their classes.  Then, they take to the streets to collect beer money from their fellow cariocas.

 The Paco Imperial (Imperial Palace) served as a political mecca for nearly 150 years, housing seven emperors in the colonial age and a royal residence to  King John VI of Portugal.

I am in love with this architecture, particularly the manor house style!

Rio City Hall



Theatro Municipal (Opera House) was complete in 1909



These Brazil wood trees were highly desirable for its red dye back in the 16th century.

Listening intently or just being nosey??

At Santo Antônio Hill: St. Francis of Penance Church (right), St. Antony Church (middle) and St. Antony Monastery in the background are undergoing major renovations.  But, "never judge a book by it's cover...".

St. Francis of Penance Church
Wow...we weren't expecting to walk in and see this Baroque-styled gem, especially after seeing the deplorable condition of the exterior.  Fortunately, as seen above, work is currently underway to preserve this colonial treasure.

The interior is all gold-leaf

Construction of this church predates the 1700's

This chapel was constructed adjacent to the church.

To think of the history behind these doors...if only they could talk?

Part of the Convento de Santo Antonio

The old commerce streets of Rio

Rio's most famous tearoom and pastry shop from the 1800's.

We stopped in for savory salgados (pastries) and Brazilian black coffee...

The Carmel Church

The church is named for the Carmel Order of Nuns, which just so happens to be the same order of nuns who taught me at E.D. White and where mom works.

The Candelária Church was built and decorated during a long period from 1775 to the late 1800s.

Banco Brazil

Class adjourned!