The rich Roman life

I am in Rome for the canonization of Carlo Acutis. Oops, the canonization of my great role model and inspiration is not this Sunday. But of course I knew that before I left.

In the spring, it was announced by the prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints that the miracle had been approved, making possible the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. On July 1, the date would be announced when he would be canonized. I marked the date in my calendar and resolved to book a plane ticket and a hotel as soon as the date was known.

And then it was July 1. The time had come. But I was sick. I had a high fever and hardly used my computer and phone that day. I more or less just booked a plane ticket and a hotel. My mother still said to me, "Now wait for that until you're better." And also, "Are you sure the date is right?" I assured her that the Vatican announced it and that a total of fourteen saints will be declared on Oct. 20, 2024. That is clearly stated at the bottom of the article.

But yes, Marco is stubborn and should have listened better to his mother. Because mom was right. I had forgotten the title of the news item. It said that there are fifteen new saints. And well, when you are sick and searching the English article for a date, apparently my reading comprehension skill no longer works.

And I did not look all the way to the bottom of the article. After a post from our Carlo Acutis youth group, it was brought to my attention that at the end of the post, that is, after the read more advertisement, it said that Carlo Acutis will be canonized next year.

Well, when I couldn't cancel my plane ticket, I went anyway. I don't really come to Rome to be a tourist. I went to Rome now with a mission. It's like being in some kind of theme park. And to quote a friend, "You as a culture buff won't find anything to do with that anyway." But yeah, the culture is nice, but I'm not motivated to stand in line for 3 or 5 hours to get into St. Peter's. I think, since I'm alone, my battery will be dead before I even get inside.

There is plenty to see here. Yesterday, after a day of non-stop activity, I went to the German-language evening Mass and immediately went to see where our only Dutch pope is buried. And afterwards I had dinner at one of the hundreds of restaurants.