On Christmas Eve I was up late and I happened to catch the Midnight mass on public television, that was taped from the St Peter’s Basilica and with the pope presiding.
It was already a coincidence that I caught this on tv because I never do but somehow it got my curiosity as well as nostalgia from my childhood and younger years of attending midnight mass with my parents many years ago.
I enjoyed the sistene choir music. As I observed and listened to the priest that interpreted the readings etc, what got my attention the most was observing the pope every time the camera was turned on him.
He looked forlorn and dejected to me. That’s how I’d describe him. There was a grayness about him I cannot explain other than there’s something wrong with him. He’s not this assertive , in charge person, just what looks to me a broken person. I was even surprised when I heard his voice reading his sermon. It was a soft voice and no passion, just hurriedly reading through the papers he held in his hand.
At the end he was wheeled out in a wheelchair because his knee needs surgery. He really looked sad to me. I don’t think he was acting this up either. He must know something that’s making him look kind of broken or maybe it’s just a simple explanation of old age caught up with him. Whatever secret is doing that to him I don’t know. I know he is old but I was surprised by his demeanor.
Who knows…..is it just my imagination?