The joy at seeing Peter

Jean reminded me of a beautiful papal verse from the Bible:

And as soon as she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but running in she told that Peter stood before the gate. 

-Acts of the Apostles 12:14

There is somethig wonderful, and mysterious isn't there about the love men and women, young and old, have for the Pope? And it's not a new thing either.

See the crowds in New York excited at seeing Paul VI in 1965:


Even earlier: Pope Pius XI, back in the 1920s or 30s, giving an urbi et orbi blessing. The same cries of "Viva il Papa" used to ring out back then too following a papal blessing. Nothing seems to have changed:



And of course Pope John Paul II's huge powerful presence and the effect he had on crowds is great to watch.