USS Cambria (LPA 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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ROME NEARLY all of us managed to get away from the trials and tribulations of shipboard life for a few days to see the town that all roads used to lead to. On the way up we passed famed Anzio beach- head, the time-proof Appian Way and many of the ancient viaducts. Once at our hotels, even before we could test the bedsprings, the Aloschi combine took over. Our stops included: St. Peter ' s, with its colonnade- surrounded square and gigantic but beautifully proportioned ornamentation; the other three Bas- cillicas; the Pantheon, with its poured-cement dome ; the Roman Forum ; the Colisseum, where the faithful were martyred by down-turned thumbs ; the monument to Victor Emmanuel, first king of United Italy; Capitoline Hill, where Brutus punc- tuated his last remarks to Caesar; the Catacombs, painstaking dug and painstakingly re-excavated; and the Vatican City, the home of the Pope and the fountainhead of Catholicism. In the Sistine Chapel, with our necks ashamedly stiff, we viewed in wonder the works of Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini. There were monks everywhere, each order serving as the custodian of one of the significant shrines. The Benedictines were at St. Paul ' s. The Franeescans acted as guides at the Catacombs under St. Sebastian ' s. Night life was surprisingly calm. Some tried the musical comedies. Some tried the ballet. Some tried penny ante back at the hotel. More checked the wine cellars and turned in early.. For most of us though the climax of the tour was an audience with the Pope. Some of us met His Holiness at his summer retreat where he held audience for thousands at a time. In this case he would speak in seven or eight languages to ac- commodate the different groups present. Others had a private audience in the Vatican. Regardless of the situation we were all impressed by his command of our language, his graciousness and serene dignity, his warm majesty. After blessing all those present together with their re- ligious articles he obliged us by permitting a group photograph to be taken. Upon his arrival and again when he left we gave the traditional American HIP, HIP, HOORAY! Though approved by custom it almost seemed like sacrilege. We were relieved when he seemed pleased. After pitching a coin in the Fontana di Trevi to insure our return, we headed back. Even for a short time it was a real pleasure to get away from seaport towns and ' you speak ' and ' turn to. '