Visiting the Vatican

We visited the Vatican twice.

On our first day, we went to St. Peter's square, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museum. Inside St. Peter's Basilica we saw Michelangelo's most famous Pieta, done when he was only 24; St. Peter's tomb; and the body of good Pope John XXIII, who initiated Vatican II. We also climbed the dome, with both inside and outside views (see pics above). The Vatican Museum is just gargantuan, with the end point being the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's painted ceiling (took him four years, completed at age 33).

The next day was Sunday, so we walked back to the Vatican for the Pope's weekly blessing. Each Sunday at noon, he comes to the window of his apartment and addresses the crowd in St. Peter's square. (Note Pope above Olivia's hat in pic above). The crowd of pilgrims and tourists was full of energy-- groups from all over the world singing songs and waving banners (see pic above). The Pope gave a short address, and repeated it in about ten different languages. He also recognized various communities by name who had come to the square that day. When he finished, the bells of St. Peter's rang loud and long. The whole event was festive, joyous, and catholic in the best sense of the term.