We had another blessed day. I didn't know that there would be a public Mass today at the Vatican. When we showed up at the gate in the morning, we were surprised to find a large crowd of people walking in lines to get inside the Vatican City. We asked a woman in front of us what the occasion was, and she said that there would be a public Mass. She and her friend were holding a ticket each. Worried that we didn't have a ticket, she gave us a spare one just in case we needed to "show" it to the guard. By the time we reached the entrance, the Swiss Guard merely directed us to an area to sit, sans ticket request. We stepped up to the front area and got seats in clear view of the stage and that were also close to the barrier railings (where I got a marvelous shot of Pope Benedict XVI when his popemobile drove by). I was SO excited. The Mass was long and celebrated in several languages with people from all over the world. It was truly wonderful.
After the Mass, we walked around the Vatican. I also got my rosary blessed by a Bishop. Then we entered the gigantic St Peter's Basilica and toured its massive frescoes, monuments, and paintings by Michelangelo, Bossini and others. Michelangelo's Carrara marble sculpture, La Pietà, was a highlight. Finally, the climb up to St. Peter's Dome (€7 entrance fee) rewarded me with a bird's eye view of the city -- another wow-ser!
For dinner, we had Chinese, with Mom covering the €26.25 bill.
Above: Complimentary daily breakfast at the cafe on the ground floor.
Above: Can you believe the sandwiches and three hot drinks cost a total of €21?! What a rip-off!
Above: Piazza Navona
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