We made it to ROME and our first stop was the Vatican City. I was really pumped to go see it, and it didn't let me down. The whole city is so royal and lavish. We went through the Vatican Museum (that houses the Sistine Chapel) and then headed to St. Peter's Basilica. This is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo (it's bigger than a football field).
This is one of the many crazy hallways leading up to the Sistine Chapel. We kept thinking that we were in it, but, no...it was just another hallway! We were super nerdy in Rome and downloaded audio guides to all of the big places...Rick Steves is the man!
Just marveling at the statues in the museum courtyard! It's sometimes hard to take it seriously with all the anatomically correct-ness!!!
Saint Peter's Basilica was one of the most breath-taking places I've ever been. It is so impressive and huge. We got there in the evening, when the sunbeams were dancing all over the church! The afternoon mass was going on, the organ was doing it's thing and the crowd was dwindling...it was magical! A nun (below) waits to go into confession.
The church from the outside. There is so much symbolism in the architecture and artwork. It was totally worth it to be nerdy and have the audio guides!!!
This is the altar, inside the altar. The bronze altar was built by Michelangelo and is meant to make the space feel more homey and intimate (not quite sure he accomplished that feeling). It is only used by the Pope when he conducts mass here! The altar behind it is where everyday mass is held.
Peter himself...in all his glory. This statue is meant to bring you good luck if you rub his right foot. The basilica itself is built on the hill where Peter was crucified upside down. It is such an intense feeling to know you are standing where these great men died for their faith!
The Square outside the Basilica. So many Christians were once murdered here, before it was legal to believe in Christ.
Eric and I outside of the Basilica.
This is the famous statue of Mary with her dead son, Christ. It is held behind bullet proof glass...crazy!
I loved visiting the Vatican and seeing the artwork and history. It was very moving for me to be inside the church and kept thinking of my Grandpa Mike! Wish he could have been our tour guide...he'd have made the tour much more exciting than Rick Steves!! ...Katie
This is one of the many crazy hallways leading up to the Sistine Chapel. We kept thinking that we were in it, but, no...it was just another hallway! We were super nerdy in Rome and downloaded audio guides to all of the big places...Rick Steves is the man!
Just marveling at the statues in the museum courtyard! It's sometimes hard to take it seriously with all the anatomically correct-ness!!! 
Saint Peter's Basilica was one of the most breath-taking places I've ever been. It is so impressive and huge. We got there in the evening, when the sunbeams were dancing all over the church! The afternoon mass was going on, the organ was doing it's thing and the crowd was dwindling...it was magical! A nun (below) waits to go into confession.
The church from the outside. There is so much symbolism in the architecture and artwork. It was totally worth it to be nerdy and have the audio guides!!!
This is the altar, inside the altar. The bronze altar was built by Michelangelo and is meant to make the space feel more homey and intimate (not quite sure he accomplished that feeling). It is only used by the Pope when he conducts mass here! The altar behind it is where everyday mass is held.
Peter himself...in all his glory. This statue is meant to bring you good luck if you rub his right foot. The basilica itself is built on the hill where Peter was crucified upside down. It is such an intense feeling to know you are standing where these great men died for their faith!
The Square outside the Basilica. So many Christians were once murdered here, before it was legal to believe in Christ. 
Eric and I outside of the Basilica. 
This is the famous statue of Mary with her dead son, Christ. It is held behind bullet proof glass...crazy!
I loved visiting the Vatican and seeing the artwork and history. It was very moving for me to be inside the church and kept thinking of my Grandpa Mike! Wish he could have been our tour guide...he'd have made the tour much more exciting than Rick Steves!! ...Katie
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