Saint Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square are located in Vatican City, a microstate enclaved within Rome, Italy. The monumental square was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and constructed between 1656 and 1667. It features a large elliptical space framed by colossal Tuscan colonnades, which consist of 284 columns and 88 pilasters arranged in four rows. These colonnades are often described as the “maternal arms of Mother Church” embracing visitors. An ancient Egyptian obelisk, brought to Rome in 37 AD and moved to its current location in 1586, stands at the center of the square. Two fountains, one by Carlo Maderno and the other by Bernini, are positioned symmetrically on either side of the obelisk.
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the holiest Catholic shrines, traditionally held to be the burial site of Saint Peter, one of Jesus’s apostles and the first Pope. It is a masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, with contributions from renowned artists and architects including Bramante, Michelangelo, and Carlo Maderno. Designed principally by Michelangelo, the imposing dome is the tallest in the world. The basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure and serves as a major place of pilgrimage and liturgical functions, where the Pope often presides at services.
The Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II (Victor Emmanuel II Bridge) connects the historic center of Rome with the Borgo neighborhood and the Vatican City area. The bridge was designed by architect Ennio De Rossi and completed in 1911 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Italy’s unification. The colossal bronze statues on the high socles at the ends of the bridge are allegorical figures of Winged Victories. They represent the Roman goddess Victoria and pay tribute to King Victor Emmanuel II’s successful unification of Italy. Over each of the main piers are massive allegorical travertine sculptural groups representing concepts such as Oppression Conquered, Loyalty to the State, Freedom, and the Unification of Italy.
Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) is an iconic fortress on the right bank of the Tiber River. Commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum, completed around 139 AD. Later it served as a military fortress, prison, and papal residence. Today it is a national museum. The fortress was named after a legend where Archangel Michael appeared on the mausoleum. The castle is linked to the Apostolic Palace by the fortified Passetto di Borgo.
The Vatican Museums entrance is clearly marked with the inscription “MUSEI VATICANI” above an arched doorway and a large sculpture of figures with a papal coat of arms. The museum entrance is on Viale Vaticano, a considerable walk from St. Peter’s Square. The museum complex houses vast collections of art and historical artifacts, culminating in the iconic Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, and the Raphael Rooms.
Replica of the “Barque of St. Peter” (La Barca di Pietro) exhibit at the entrance of the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. The boat, which is a faithful copy of a 1st-century fishing boat discovered in the Sea of Galilee, is displayed within the museum’s modern spiral ramp architectural feature. The original “Sea of Galilee Boat” (also known as the “Jesus Boat”) was discovered during a drought in 1986. Radiocarbon dating suggests it dates back to around 40 BC to 50 AD, a period contemporaneous with the life of Jesus Christ and his disciples. The boat provides a tangible link to the world of the Gospels, as it matches descriptions of vessels used by Galilean fishermen at that time. The replica was donated to Pope Francis in March 2023 and installed in the museum entrance in September 2023. It is strategically placed to greet all visitors to the museum complex, including those heading to see the Sistine Chapel and other collections.
The Octagonal Courtyard (Cortile Ottagono) of the Vatican Museums is part of the Pio-Clementino Museum, is known for its classical architecture and important sculptures. The courtyard is designed with classical arches and houses several significant ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, including the famous Laocoön and His Sons and the Apollo Belvedere.
The Sala Rotonda (Round Room) within the Vatican Museums is inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The room is famous for its colossal statues and large porphyry basin in the center. The most prominent statue is a colossal gilded bronze statue of Hercules, known as the Hercules Mastai, which stands nearly 4 meters (13 feet) tall in the central niche. Discovered in Rome in 1864, it is one of the few large ancient bronze statues to have survived relatively intact. The room features a hemispherical dome vault and numerous colossal ancient statues housed in shallow alcoves around the walls. In the center of the room is a massive ancient Roman basin (bath or labrum) made of red porphyry, a rare and expensive stone, which sits on an ornate base. The floor is paved with intricate 3rd-century AD mosaics, adding to the room’s rich historical ambiance.
This mosaic floor inlay is located in the Gallery of the Candelabra within the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. The mosaic features a coat of arms with a prominent green tree, two white fleurs-de-lis, and a star, set against a blue background. This particular emblem is part of the spectacular inlaid marble floor (opus sectile) in the Gallery of the Candelabra, which was designed by Luigi Medici, his son Paolo Medici, and Giuseppe Rinaldi in the late 18th century. The use of different symbols like the tree and star often relates to specific papal crests or religious iconography. The “tree of life” or “cosmic tree” is a common motif in various cultures and religious contexts. The fleur-de-lis is a traditional symbol associated with the Virgin Mary and the Trinity in Christian tradition, and widely used in European heraldry.
Canonization mass for Blessed Carlo Acutis and Pier Georgio on September 7, 2025, attended by approximately 80,000 people.
Photo outside of my fourth and final of the four pilgrimage churches during the Jubilee year of 2025.