Clare
[HTML]I’m sorry to say that I wasn’t completely disappointed to leave Assisi.I had expected something more spiritual, although I certainly I hadn’thelped matters by being ticked off at the Pope all the time. But I justcouldn’t help thinking that so much of what I saw in Assisi didn’t seemto fit with my understanding of what St. Francis was all about. Thepoverty, the simplicity of his life and that of St. Clare seemed to belacking in the gorgeous but gigantic Basilica. And the bustle aroundthe Pope’s visit seemed to intensify the sense that this wouldn’tnecessarily be the kind of life Francis would appreciate. On the otherhand, I absolutely love visiting churches in Italy for the spectacularart and the grandeur built to the glory of God. So if there washypocrisy, I was a more-than-willing accomplice. It just seemed somehowa bit more jarring in Assisi[/HTML]
