The Feast of All Saints is keenly felt in Rome and early November first tens of thousands of Romans made their way to Saint Peter’s square under foreboding skies. The police had completely shut down the area around the Vatican basilica and the long boulevard that leads up to Bernini’s colonnades, freeing Via della Conciliazione from its incessant traffic and creating an oasis of pedestrian peace. As the tourists and pilgrims curiously looked on and the bells signaled the end of mass, the Romans, with a quick glance at the Pope’s study window and a sign of the cross set off on the All Saints marathon.
The 10 kilomters takes in Romes historic centre looping from the two beating hearts of the eternal city, St Peter’s and the Campidoglio, or Capitol Hill, seat of the city government. The runners, of varying ages and ability were enthusiastically cheered as they passed all determined to cross the finish line in time for the ultimate goal, the midday Angelus prayer with their bishop, Pope Benedict XVI.
As the canons from the Gianiculum Hill sounded noon, the Holy Father appeared at his study window high above the square, saluting the runners joined by pilgrims to the Vatican. He spoke of the liturgical feast, and how it draws our earthly gaze toward Heaven. He spoke of how the Saints, those we are familiar with and those known only to God, are where heaven and earth meet because formed and opened by the spirit of Christ already here on earth, encountered in the communion of his Mystical Body, the Church.