Many people are surprised to hear that my husband, Andrew, and I met the pope on our honeymoon to Italy last year, and even more so that we received his blessing on our marriage.
But little do they know that this is a very common — and profoundly fruitful — opportunity for newlywed couples: the “sposi novelli” blessing.
So, what is the sposi novelli blessing? Sposi novelli, or “newlyweds” in Italian, may receive a blessing from the pope at the conclusion of his semi-regular Wednesday morning audiences.
Newlywed couples, or couples who have been married under a year, may reserve audience tickets by filling out a form on the website of the Pontifical North American College, or PNAC, marking the “sposi novelli” box on the form. It is free to attend a papal audience but necessary to reserve tickets.
Once Andrew and I reserved our tickets online, it was only a matter of offering frantic novenas that the pope would hold an audience on the Wednesday we selected, Sept. 25. The Holy Father’s schedule is rarely solidified until a day or two before the audience, which gave me many opportunities to practice the virtues of patience and fortitude.
After a joyful wedding — and a turbulent plane ride — Andrew and I arrived in Rome a few days before the audience. While we waited to hear if the audience would indeed happen, we took time to enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of the city. We toured St. Peter’s Basilica with newly ordained Father Joseph M. T. Brodeur of the Diocese of Providence, R.I. We enjoyed carbonara at a restaurant recommended by Father Michael T. Nugent, parochial vicar of St. Ambrose in Annandale.
The day before the audience, we followed the PNAC’s guidelines for picking up our tickets. Luckily, the college is located only a few blocks away from the Trevi Fountain. We snapped a touristy photo before we arrived at the college.
The college itself is a tranquil oasis amid bustling Roma. Confessions are available in an adjacent room as you wait in line to pick up your tickets, and priests and religious sisters greet pilgrims in a familiar, welcoming tongue.
Along with other pilgrims, we met with a religious sister who delivered a brief presentation on what to expect. Newlywed couples were invited to stay a little longer for additional instruction.
Sposi novelli couples must wear wedding attire to the audience — a suit for the groom and a white dress or other traditional attire for the bride — and bring a copy of their marriage certificate. Since my wedding gown was too bulky for me to lug around Italy, I thrifted a simple satin gown and altered it to meet Vatican modesty standards — you don’t have to be extravagant.
At first, it seemed as though the audience might be canceled. The morning of the audience, we awoke at 4 a.m. to booming thunder and lightning. With no way to confirm whether the audience would continue or not, we persevered and arrived at St. Peter’s Square just as the rain cleared by 7 a.m. and the sun peeked out.
We passed through security and asked a Swiss Guard to direct us to the sposi novelli section, which is at the base of the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica and close to the pope’s chair.
The papal audience gave us a rare view of the universal church. We watched pilgrims congregate in the square below, singing and bearing their nations’ flags. Upon the stage, we mingled with the other sposi novelli couples and found a few fellow Americans — I even struck up a conversation with a German bride seated next to me.
The audience began with Pope Francis driving through the square in his popemobile, greeting pilgrims and blessing babies. When he reached his seat, he offered a short prayer. Lectors then delivered a reading from Sacred Scripture in eight major languages. Following the reading, the Holy Father delivered a homily in Italian, after which the lectors gave a brief synopsis of the homily. The audience concluded with the pope’s apostolic blessing upon all those present.
The blessing also pertained to the sposi novelli, that they have a long, fruitful, happy marriage. Pilgrims who brought sacramentals such as miraculous medals, rosaries or crucifixes held them up to receive the blessing.
The pope then made his way to the newlyweds. Moving in his wheelchair through the rows of seats, he greeted each couple and took their hands. Couples are encouraged to greet him or to request his prayers.
As Pope Francis greeted us, Andrew told him, “Holy Father, we are praying for your health,” which garnered a smile from the pope, who speaks English.
Pope Francis did more than shake hands and smile. As he passed by me, he was stopped by the German bride who chatted with me earlier. She stood up and presented a small bump. The pope smiled and blessed her unborn child and congratulated the expectant parents.
Four months of marriage later, Andrew and I still feel the apostolic blessing in our day-to-day lives. Moments of difficulty, grief or impatience are lighter to carry. Our spiritual lives have been greatly enriched. Our marriage has many more miles to go, but we are so grateful we began our journey with this special blessing.
