...are pouring into Rome, and there are signs signs directing them to the "Porta Sancta", with "Holy Door" in English underneath. A tent on the St Angelo Bridge is labelled MISERICORDIA and welcomes pilgrims, giving information and tickets, dealing with facilities for wheelchairs etc.
Yesterday as we went through the great door, we were behind a group of young Sisters, one of whom kissed the door devoutly as she entered, another reverently placed her hand on the feet of the crucified Christ on one of the panels...
The pilgrims are all sorts, all ages, all races - the main common item of dress is a baseball cap, sometimes worn over a nun's veil as the broad peak makes a good protection against the searing sun. Another crucial item is of course a mobile phone - and for many also a selfie-stick. A bright coloured scarf worn Scout-style around he neck is also a must, identifying the group and making it easier for the leader to gather them together. For younger pilgrims, obviously a teeshirt completes the outfit.... all this is esdsentially the modern equivalents of the Medieval pilgrim cloak and scallop-shell...
The Vatican Post Office is kept busy selling stamps and so on...they are endlessly patient. I hurried in today with a gift to be posted for a niece's 21st birthday...despite a cosmopolitan crush of people, the atmosphere was friendly and had something of the pleasant bustle of the suburban Post Offices of my youth, complete with friendly queuing.
Filming in Rome means getting special accreditation from the Holy See's press office in order to be allowed access to sites within the Vatican...and struggling against traffic noise and all the usual hassles when filming everywhere else. Just when you are well into your stride, on the third or fourth retake.... nee-naw, nee-naw, another police car or fire engine screams above the general roar...
I think we are getting there...and the work is satisfying and in many ways a great privilege.
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