We arrived in rome yesterday, and had dinner at our hotel last night and a wander down the road last night. We met our tour director this morning and she said if we went to the Vatican, only a 5 minute walk from our hotel we would see the Pope do a mass and a blessing. What an opportunity, so off we went and the roads were just arriving.
Saint Peter's Basilica, the world's largest church, is the center of Christianity. The imposing structure was built over a span of more than one hundred years by the greatest Italian architects of the era.
We waited for half an hour and took lots of photos
The bell on top of the Vatican
Three of the statues
Full picture of the top
Finally the red cloth came out of the window and then he appeared
He did the mass, in Italian of course and we were all mesmerised
The crowds were intense
What an amazing experience, being present at the popes mass.
These were the guards at the gate of the Vatican, there costumes apparently were designed by
michaelangelo
This is near the Vatican, special water?
This is the top of the Vatican which we can see from our hotel floor, fourth floor
After the mass we went around town and had lunch, these are the buildings near by
This cat was sitting on the third floor sunning itself
Guess what, more doors!
Down a side street
ALS new car!
They say on every corner there is a church, this is one of them
This is our hotel
We met our new tour at 5.30 and we were taken around town for a quick tour of some sights, yes this is the colosseum
all around the town there drinking fountains that run all the time, no water restrictions here!
Originally built in the 2nd century as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) was later transformed into a large castle where popes could take refuge in turbulent times.
This is the oldest bridge in Italy
The guardian angel on top of the castle
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