St. Peter's Basilica

There was not enough time in this beautiful place. Even reading things before, while standing there in awe, you need to have something to read and remind what every little detail means. Michelangelo's Pieta, is consider one of the greatest religious works of art. Whatever your faith, the beauty and serenity of this mother who has lost her child invokes a spiritual response.

I stopped into St. Joseph's Alter and said prayers for so many family and friends. http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Altars/BlSacrament/BlSacrament.htm

I then stepped out to rub the foot of St. Peter's statue. http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Statues/StPeter/StPeter.htm

I had Kacy stand back and take a picture, but one guy had the sole responsibility of saying, "No Stop!" and making sure everyone moved by it quickly. He took his job very seriously and through a tantrum at the guy behind me.

The rest is truly a blur. I didn't take enough pictures here because I knew there were so many on the internet and I wanted to take in the significance of this wonderous place.

The next thing I know, I am outside gathering with the group deciding our next plans. I wanted to run back in and spend hours, but alas...Raquel was ready to go. We walked away towards a little tourist shop and sat for the first time in hours. It was at this point, Raquel announces that we have 40 minutes to do whatever we want and to meet by the Tiber River. UGH!!!!! She could have told me that while we were in St. Peter's. Now my legs no longer had strength to walk back and there would not be enough time.

So I sat with a few other tired souls and waited for the group to return. We took pictures of the river, a carousel, and other buildings. Little did we know, a protest was about to happen and almost trap us on the wrong side of the river.