I understand you can reserve private audiences with the pope through some on-line service. The website was discussed in a previous thread, but I can't seem to find it now. Obviously, the price is steep, but I expect it would be well worth it! I would like to ask him about some of the on-going abuse issues concerning priests in this country, and maybe something lighter if there's time.

There's NO way you will get a "private" audience with the Pope. "Semi-private" maybe. Semi-private is a group of about 750 people. In his health, he sees very few people. <BR><BR>There would never be a question & answer opportunity either.

Could this be?! I seriously doubt it, although I'll be in Rome next month and would be very interested in such a service. If it is possible, I bet he's booked up for at least a couple of months. I guess that's free enterprise for you!

Let me tell you, you do not want to be summoned to see the Holy Father, privately.<BR><BR>In my office, young man. Now.<BR><BR>Not nowadays.<BR>

If you are serious...you can attend an "audience" with the pope...there are many others in attendance and you don't get a private photo op or a? & answer period...it used to be on Wednesdays...you have to write ahead of time...I no longer have the detailed information...you can also obtain a letter from your parish priest which introduces you...maybe there's another poster out there who can help you, and refresh my memory at the same time.

Remember this joke, posted about a month ago?<BR><BR>A New York woman was at her hairdresser's on Park Avenue getting her hair styled prior to a trip to Rome with her boyfriend. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded, "Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded & dirty and full of Italians. You're crazy to go to Rome. So,<BR>how are you getting there?"<BR><BR>"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!" <BR><BR>"Continental?"exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"<BR><BR>"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's left bank called Teste..." <BR><BR>"Don't go any further. I know about that place. Everybody thinks it's gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump, the worst hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly and they're overpriced. <BR>So, whatcha doing when you get there?"<BR><BR>"We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope to see the Pope." <BR><BR>"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."<BR><BR>A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome. "It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was underbooked and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old flight attendant who waited on me hand and foot. And the hotel-it was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They had a mix-up about our reservations and were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"<BR><BR>"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."<BR><BR>"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."<BR> <BR>"Oh, really...What'd he say?"<BR>He said, "Where'd you get the crappy hairdo?"

Another joke - - with the "meeting God" angle - - and apropos of an execution today in our fair state of Ohio (I am not opposed to this or other executions, in principle, FWIW).<BR><BR>===================================< BR><BR>Two men, sentenced to die in the electric chair on the same day were led down to the room in which they would meet their maker. The priest had given them last rites, the formal speech had been given by the warden, and a final prayer had been said among the participants. The warden, turning to the first man, solemnly asked "Son, do you have a last request?"<BR><BR>To which the first replied, "Yes sir, I do. I love dance music. Could you please play The Macarena for me one last time?"<BR><BR>"Certainly," replied the warden. He turned to the other man and asked, "Well, what about you, son? What is your final request?"<BR><BR>"Please," said the condemned man, "kill me first".<BR><BR>=================================== <BR><BR>Best (last?) wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Don't bend over!!!!!!!<BR><BR>Padre

You can arrange for the Wednesday audience through the Vatican website. You give them your Wednesday date and hotel and tickets are delivered the evening before at your hotel. Marilyn

to the heavens<BR>

Look closely at the author's name. And the third message is from someone who "doubts." Funny.