Vatican city is exquisite–a place built to show the magnificence of God and the power of the pope.

The Vatican museum houses some of Europe’s greatest works of art, including a statue of our beloved Bartleby.
The line to the Sistine Chapel starts in the Hall of Maps. Fortunately, we got there early so there were only a few people ahead of us.

The Sistine chapel was literally lit up by the magnitude of illegal flash photographs and the chorus of “NO FOTO PER FAVORE!!!” heralded throughout the chapel. Within the crowded chaos, we were able to find a quiet bench to sit and soak in the stories of the Bible unfolding across the ceiling. It was breathtaking (and quiet uncapturable by camera).

We slid out of the Sistine Chapel through a secret door (thank you Rick Steves) and found ourselves in the entry way of St. Peter’s Basilica. This is the most glorious and immense church that I have ever stepped foot in. It was beautiful and fast beyond words.

It is the largest church in the world and most of the great churches in Europe could fit in the atrium. And the dome is so tall that the Statue of Liberty could not reach the top.

This 70 foot canopy shelters the main alter, which is over the tomb of St. Peter. It is the largest bronze sculpture in the world.

Everything about St. Peter’s Basilica is so grandiose and immense, that you feel so small and insignificant. Yet our God is so much greater than this church that could not even house his toe and so personal that He hears our every prayer.

Goodbye Rome, we are off to the coast!