By Amy Wetmore, UG’06

The experience of Pope John Paul II’s death has made me realize how integrated I have become into Italian culture. The faces of people on the bus have changed to a slightly more somber composure and greetings of loved ones on the street hold an increased significance. These changes would only be noticeable to those already familiar with the faces of the Italian people they have the privilege of interacting with daily. Relentless musicians who play their instruments for tourists around the clock have posted small signs that read, “In his honor we remain silent today.” Even dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe (temporarily satisfying our longing for American culture) is unusually quiet. The music videos flash before our eyes, and the waiter explains that the volume is muted also in memory of the Pope. The recent events have impacted every area of our life here. Buses are more crowded, certain small shops are closed, and devoted followers flock to the city from all corners of the world. Some friends of mine waited in line for two hours to see the procession and special liturgy as they moved his body from the Vatican to St. Peters. Others have trekked to the sacred site at all hours of the morning to join the five to six hour wait in order to pay their respects. Each person honors his memory in their own way, but we students along with the millions of other pilgrims in this city, remember fondly the honorable life of Pope John Paul II.