Field trip to the Vatican

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Tuesday (9/9/14)

Today my Roman Catholicism class met on site for a visit to the Vatican. We started in Piazza Cavour and journeyed, just as the pilgrims did, across the Ponte Angelo towards the Castle of the Angels, and then west to St. Peter's Square. Along the way, the professor point of the residence of the Superior General of the Jesuits. He also informed us that Father Garanzini, president of Loyola University Chicago, is the international General of Education for the Jesuits and is requested to live and work at the Vatican, but told the Superior General that he has some projects in Chicago, but maybe in a few years. There was a long line to get into the Basilica, but it moved rather quickly. Our professor explained how the building was made to look like only 3 stories tall, when really it is 10 stories tall, and how all the statues surrounding the square are 22 feet tall. Also, the balcony on which the Pope stands when he is addressing an audience is just barely shorter than most people, so he must use a platform to look out over it. Once I entered the Basilica, I was astounded at how large the inside really was. There were so many statues and shrines to previous leaders and popes. There are also several side pulpits where services are held, as the main pulpit is reserved for the only the Pope to use. We left the basilica by going through the crypt underneath. It is considered a sacred place, so I could not take any pictures of the tomb of St. Peter or John Paul II, among many others buried down there. It is possible to go to the top of the dome, but it costs a fee, but I would like to do it, so I will have to return back to the Vatican again sometime this semester

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