Vatican City, Jun 20, 2012 / 17:15 pm
One of the most striking sights in Rome appears every Wednesday afternoon in St. Peter's Square when newly married couples, resplendent in their wedding attire, emerge after being blessed by Pope Benedict XVI.
"I had never been to Rome before and could only imagine how beautiful and how sacred this place is … so I could not be happier than to get married and have that marriage blessed by the Pope," said new bride Anna Barella, a 26-year-old from Naples, Florida.
Standing next to her was her husband, 25-year-old Kyle. They were married in Rome on Saturday, June 16 at the Church of Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini. On June 20 they were one of over a dozen couples to experience the papal tradition of newlyweds being blessed at the weekly general audience.
"I think it is great," said Kyle, "I mean there is no better way to start your marriage than with a blessing from the Holy Father, and hopefully we'll get a lot out of it."