This is our last full night in Rome. Most of the warehouse is empty except for a dozen or so that stuck behind. Ten miles from here, there are millions now gathered to hear the Pope speak to young people. His words are being broadcast over the intercom here, echoing through this whole complex. People are huddled around radios tuned into the translation in their own language. I have a little radio sitting next to my mouse, hanging on every word he says. I must admit, I have never understood the depth of his love for the all the people of the world and his faith that Christ will lead our hearts.Right now they are singing the Filipino song that I heard a week ago and fell in love with. They are passing the light from candle to candle over the vast field of people. How impressive would that be to witness? To see one flame of a candle spread to millions. “Credo, credo amen!” “We do believe, amen.” I am sitting in this bare warehouse and I can feel good vibes through the radio. “Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The crowds are chanting words of hope and joy, singing and clapping.

I sit here alone because this is what I need. I have experienced something touching here in Italy. But my circumstances have made it near impossible to be alone. I want to ensure that I absorb all that I can as I recollect each day. That is what I have done today. I have pecked away at this laptop refining the choppy entries I threw together at the end of each day. (They are singing full Gospel style now, “Amen, amen, amen…)

This afternoon I hid in a coffee shop and had two cappuccinos and a full battery’s worth of journals. It felt so satisfying to make my thoughts and reflections more fluid and heartfelt. I have a real sense of closure now. Each day has been lasting, but now I can see it all coming together to leave an ineffable mark on my daily walk.

So much has changed; will I be the same? I know that in a couple days I will be scrambling to overload for classes. I will be moving into my new home. I will be a student again, picking up where I left off late last year… before New Orleans, Mexico, Italy, and Meredith. New Orleans made me famous, Mexico rekindled my Faith, Italy has made me rejoice in that same Faith.

“In the triangle of love between ourselves, other people, and God, I believe, we have the closest thing here on earth what heaven will be like.”