The Vatican City needs no introduction. It was, for me at least, a thrilling experience to see the center of Catholicism.
The second window from the right is the Papal study room's window. According to our guide, a lit window meant that the Pope was in.
There was so much to see in St Peter's. The place felt as though it was bursting with artistic work, with much historical value, and even spiritual meaning for some.
This is a bronze statue of St Peter, who is depicted with a key because of Matthew 16:18-20. We were told to rub his 'toeless' right foot as a form of respect. Apparently, his bones are kept under the baldacchino or bronze canopy.
This is the door to enter during the Jubilee years to gain the indulgence of sin remission and universal pardon. The next time it opens? 2015 I think...
The huge throne behind the altar is the chair of St Peter. Apparently, it contains a relic, a real chair on which St Peter sat during his time on earth.
It didn't feel like I was in the biggest church in the world because the pieces of art were equally huge, despite having a great deal of fine detail, and beauty.
This is the list of popes who were buried in this church. Pope John Paul II is the latest entry.
These are the stairs which would lead us to St Peter's bones. Out-of-bounds to the public, of course.
This is a soldier from the Pope's private army - the Swiss guards - in his winter uniform. I'm not sure if the winter dress was designed by Michelangelo or Raphael too.
Apart from the Vatican City, we also visited the Colosseum, the amphitheater of the Roman empire. But it was too dark to see anything.
Finally, we threw coins into the Trevi Fountain, in hope that we would return to Roma to explore it in greater detail, before retiring for the night.
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