Today we had our "private tour" of the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica, and Sistine Chapel. This by far isn't the best picture I took today; it's the first thing you see when you walk into St. Peter's and words cannot describe the magnificance.
Our tour was a little over 4 hours. Our tour guide, Sonia, was passionate about everything she showed and explained to us. She loves her job! Sonia told me that between 20,000 and 25,000 Vatican Museum tickets are sold everyday. St. Peter's Basilica holds about 12,500 people seated and the square about 250,000 standing!
St. Peter's is in Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. Vatican City is an independent city-state covering about 100 acres and is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope as it's head. Popes didn't live at the Vatican until the 14th Century and Pope Francis has lived there since 2013. The population is less than 1,000 people - mostly dignitaries, priests, nuns, and (Swiss) guards. It's the burial site of St. Peter, one of the Apostles of Jesus, and according to tradition, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome.
The Sistine Chapel serves as a place of both religious and functionary papal activities and is where the election of each successive pope is held. On the occasion of a conclave (an assembly of cardinals for the election of a pope) a chimney is installed and smoke arises as a signal. If white smoke arises it means a new Pope has been elected. Black smoke means no successful election has yet occurred. After the election, the chimney is taken down. We sat right where the chimney is installed. Another surreal moment!
As you may have guessed, I took a bazillion pictures. I have a lot of homework to do when I get home matching the photos with the history, story, significance, and any other details I can learn. We saw and learned so much today; I can barely take it all in.
Time for bed. Tomorrow we check out of our apartment in Rome, take a taxi to the train station and then catch a train for Florence.
Love,
Rondi
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