Whew...

OK, if it'll help things along any, I can do a Loggia -cast with my best Jerry Lewis impersonation and sing "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Just kidding.

A blessed and reassuring response is starting to trickle in. I've been working on MSM projects through the morning, so apologies for my absence.... And thanks to everyone for their incredible kindnesses so far -- I will be replying as quickly as I can. On no sleep. Pray for me.

A couple things:

First off, as announced here last week, B16 this morning received our favorite Middle Eastern power couple, King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan, in audience at Castel Gandolfo. From Rome, the Hashemite monarch will travel to Washington, where he will give a speech on "Traditional Islam: The Path to Peace" tomorrow at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. Given Abdullah's doings today, and his role in the jigsaw puzzle of the region, it's definitely a speech to watch for Catholics and Muslims alike.

As it was with last week's visit of the Spanish monarchs King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, the visit took place under the context of a personal encounter, not an official or state visit which would entail public statements of greeting and diplomatic discussions with the Secretariat of State. No press release was issued from the Holy See aside from the customary listing of the visitors' names in the daily register of audiences.

Out of deference to his visitors, the Pope did not don the state stole over his amaranth-silk mozzetta as he has done when receiving Christian heads of state and government. Rania wore a mantilla and Abdullah was vested in a black business suit with the black necktie called for under the abito scuro protocol for meetings with popes and cardinals.

Who knows what tomorrow brings? More soon....

PHOTO: POOL/L'Osservatore -- Arturo Mari

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