The hotels are packed, helicopters are circling overhead, groups of jubilant Poles are gathering to sing at fountains.  There is a celebratory air in Rome today as it is the day that Pope John Paul II is declared a saint.  Whether you believe that his sainthood took the fast track or not, there are many, many Catholics who are thrilled to see this day.

            Yesterday morning, I noticed several Mercedes town cars at our hotel and some serious looking security agents “checking things out”.  The town cars had signs in the window that said, Zimbabwe.  Then last night, we hear that Robert Mugabe is in Rome for the beatification ceremony.  Coincidence?  I do believe I slept in the same hotel with Robert Mugabe last night.
 

I’ll let you play with that irony on your own.