'Wow! We're in Rome!'

Passengers on two buses leaving for Newark Airport at the same time greeted one another, stowed luggage, and double-checked for passports and tickets in response to instructions from tour leaders.

"I read the 94th Psalm this morning," one pilgrim was heard to say as her bus began the journey to Newark. (Others left from JFK Airport in New York City.) "It's about the angels protecting you."

Expectations

"Seeing the Pope, the Sistine Chapel, the Pieta," offered M. Patricia Krosky of St. John the Baptist parish in Schenectady.

Her daughter, Mary Irene Durocher of St. Mary's in Galway, couldn't wait to see Assisi -- a side trip offered as an alternative to a free day in Rome.

"I'm excited, nervous. I've always had a thing for St. Francis," Ms. Durocher explained. "What first got me interested was his love for animals."

However, "I can't wait to see the McDonald's in Rome. They say it has fountains and paintings," another passenger remarked simply.

Good food was at the top of everyone's wish list. Cynthia Bogardus, making her second trip to Rome, noted wryly that "you can't go wrong with menus. I went with my husband in '95, and he would eat two dinners every night!"

Papal memories

Ms. Lebertore was skeptical of the story; her cousin is related to a family whose surname is "Wojtyna," while the Pope's last name is spelled "Wojtyla"; but she brought the clipping to show a traveling companion.

Joan Fuerst of St. John the Baptist parish in Valatie said that she's quite a fan of Pope John Paul. "I had been praying that the Pope would be alive and well when we went," she told The Evangelist, tearing up at the thought of seeing the Pope in person. "It's awesome!"

Waiting game

The pilgrims had another chance to talk while waiting for their flights. John O'Kane, traveling with his wife, Theresa, from Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Queensbury, noted that he was thrilled to see a colleague also taking the trip: Ray Koch (who came with his wife, Margaret), once shared the same career as a New York City police officer.

"It's neat that we got to see each other here," Mr. O'Kane remarked. The O'Kanes are also parents of seminarian John O'Kane.

Long night's journey

On arrival, the group met another challenge: Wending their way through Italian passport control, picking up their luggage and meeting the Regina Tours representatives who would take them to their hotels. People split up on buses according to hotels.

In some cases, tempers flared. Some pilgrims were bewildered by the maze of Rome's Fiumicino Airport. Since several flights arrived earlier than the check-out times for Rome's hotels, some had to wait to get into their rooms. One couple had an Armani suitcase stolen.

"It's the first day," philosophized one Regina Tours leader, promising that things would improve.

Scenic trip

The pilgrims "oohed" and "aahed" at the ancient buildings and gushing fountains.

A tour guide explained that Rome is mainly a Baroque city, dating back to the 1600s-1700s. The buses passed Venice Square, the "geometrical center" of the city, and the Via Nationale, a street that runs from Republic Square to Venice Square.

New Catholic

Snuggled in her parents' arms, Zoe slept through much of the proceedings in a fluffy, white christening gown, while a priest baptized her and then threw an arm around her parents to bless them.

It proved easy to become lost in the winding streets of Rome, and natives offered humorous but less-than-helpful directions like "left, right, left," so tired pilgrims were ready for a nap when they returned to their hotels.

But the magic of Rome remained. At a "ristorante" in Republic Square, two pilgrims sat at an outdoor table and watched tourists and pigeons mill around on the streets below.

"Wow," one said in awe. "We're in Rome."

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