Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museum is one of the largest art collections in the world, and one of the largest museums in the world.

 

Mummies! Guess who loved the mummies?

 

The ever impressive Hall of Maps

Ancient Rome

The allure of Ancient Rome never disappoints





Our two emperor sons in front of Tito's Arch



The main show - The Coliseum

Gelato, Hot Chocolate and Eating in Roman Piazzas

The Gelato is delicious

And the hot chocolate is insane, so thick you must eat it with a spoon

 

Pizza & Pasta in the Piazzas

Around the City - Trevi Fountain - Pantheon - Piazza Novana

Trevi Fountain

So crowded on a Friday afternoon. The Italians really do love hanging out in their town squares.

Luccio just couldn't figure out the "invisible guys" throughout the city, which led to us having to drop too much money into their cans

Pantheon

Piazza Novana

The Italian Wedding Cake

View of Vatican City from Castel Sant'Angelo

 

St. Peter's Square & Basilica

We were blessed to meet a friend from Spring Hill at St Peter's, Rev. Alex, who gave us a fantastic tour. Thank you Deacon Alex! We'll see you next at your ordination!

The exact location where Pope John Paul II was shot in 1981

Happiness is Playing in St Peter's Square

Entering the Basilica through the Holy Doors. You can only enter the Basilica through the Holy Doors during a "Holy Year." Luckily our pilgrimage to Rome was during the Holy Year of Mercy. Jesus referred to himself as "the door" or "the gate" in John 10:7 when he was explaining that no one will come to the Father except through Him. Passing through the Holy Doors into St. Peter's Basilica represents leaving this world and entering into the presence of God. 

Inside St. Peter's Basilica. As our friend Rev. Alex would say, "Welcome to the Mother Church!"

Bernini's carved alter, built over the tomb of St. Peter

Saint John Paul II's Tomb. This was the most welcoming and emotional part of our pilgrimage for the mama. 6000 miles brought me back to the best teacher I ever had, and my friend and mentor in Christ. John Paul 2 I still love you.

Michelangelo's Pieta - Beautifully displayed in St. Peter's Basilica with a cross behind it and an alter in front of it, to symbolize Mary taking her son off the cross and placing him on the alter for us to encounter in the Holy Eucharist

Ceiling Art - The pictures don't even come close to doing it justice

The Swiss Guard