Yes, here I am, finally. Back from Rome and finally uploading
a new podcast since my travels. That's me standing on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica... near the dome...There's a heavenly view from the top, and you can tell it was a very sunny day -- but cool enough to keep the jacket zipped -- when I visited! Behind me, believe it or not, is a cafe (who knew?) selling espresso, soft drinks, etc., and there's a gift shop from where I purchased a few postcards and some lovely rosary beads that commemorate the beatification of John Paul II, (and, yes, they were blessed by Pope Benedict)... so be listening to the podcast to get in on that giveaway!
Here's a picture of the rosary:
Among Women 95 celebrates Holy Week and Easter in Rome with the Gohn family (tho' none of my fam were brave enough to actually record with me!) as we take in some of the sights and the General Audience in St. Peter's Square with my pope and yours, Benedict XVI. This week show departs from our normal two segments in order to bring you scenes and sounds from Rome.
Some of the photographs below are keyed to the some of the things
the podcast describes. But feel free to listen and to share your own thoughts below in the combox.
And a very Happy Easter, once again!
To Roma!
"The boys" and I ready for take-off out of Boston. Peter, 18, Bobby, 23. Katie is already in Europe, and Bob is working in Denmark, preparing to meet us in Rome.
Cafes along Piazza Navona
Cafe life kills jetlag! And cures flat hair from sleeping on a plane!
The Bernini fountains, Piazza Navona
Bobby, in front of St. Agnes' church (where she was martyred), Piazza Navona
The Pantheon
Dome of the Pantheon -- yes with an open skylight. Allegedly no rain ever enters it!
The Pantheon renamed
The altar (crucifix covered on Palm Sunday)
"The Annunciation"
Close-up of the Father overshadowing Mary with the Spirit
Pantheon, exterior
St. Peter's Basilica, as seen from St. Angelo Bridge area
taxi stand near St Peter's
The Collonnade with the papal apartments above
Huge Main entrance doors to St. Peter's (those statues on the roof line are 10-12 feet high)
Chairs set up in the Square for the papal audience, Egyptian obelisk in center.
(Note: there are more Egyptian obelisks in Rome than in Egypt. How they got dragged and transported by the Roman I'll never know!)
Giant statue of St. Peter outside
The fountains at St. Peter's
The apostles
The Papal Apartments... window in top row, second from right is the window that the Pope addresses the crowd from on Sundays for the Angelus.
Check this out --->>>Below St. Peter's Basilica is St. Peter's tomb and an ancient necropolis unearthed in the mid 20th century. We toured the tomb and necropolis but were not allowed to take pictures.
Here is an excellent resource, and online virtual tour of why St. Peter's is build over the Peter's tomb, following his martyrdom.
Getting ready for the Papal Audience on Wed April 20th.
The crowd fills St. Peter's square
Clear skies!
The "porch" and awning where the pope will preside over the gathering.
Pilgrims await the Holy Father's appearance
A Swiss Guard standing by in traditional medieval dress
(Don't be fooled, these guys are military-trained protection for the pope.)
Security police pacing and passing the time
Photographers setting up
Oh looky! Here he comes!
Slowly blessing the crowd...
Best photo of the Pope we have... thank God for tall husbands!
Dwarfted by the immensity of St. Peter's
Pope giving his catechesis...
...and speaking extemporaneously.
The Pope's departure
INSIDE ST. PETER's:
The Holy Door of St. Peter's (only opened during Jubilee Years)
Michaelangelo's Pieta
The approach to the main altar
Above the main altar
Holy Spirit stained glass over the memorial cathedra chair
The dome from the floor of the basilica--from here, the very center has a painting of Jesus and Mary, but it is hard to observe in these photos.
The inside of the dome -- After climbing to the top inside
Those letters encircling the dome are 6 feet high... look at the height of the people in this photo who are also climbing the dome. This place is massive!
Views from the inner dome...the quote in Latin is from the Gospel... "Upon this rock [Peter/petra] I will build my church. (Mt 16:18)"
Remember the apostles on top of St Peter's in the photo above? Here they are from the roof line... about 10-12 feet high.
on the roof, but we did not climb to the top of the cupola... up just under that cross at the top.
St Paul statue in courtyard of Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls
St Paul's Basilica -- see those circular disks on top of the columns? That all the apostolic succession of all the pope's images from St. Peter to Pope Benedict XVI.
Sorry, not a good photo of BXVI.
A better view of BXVI
Mosaic behind the altar at St. Paul's
Loving the cafe life!
The 5 of us - sitting in the ancient amphitheatre of Ostia Antica
Easter dinner with the Gohn's and Benjy, (missing, Bobby who snapped the picture).
And now, some randomness:
My Husband has a thing for small, and even tiny cars...
And tiny trucks too!
Gorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeleteMy husband's best friend went on pilgrimage to Rome in 2000 during the Jubilee year, and his girlfriend was part of the group. He proposed to her in the doorway of the Holy Door of St. Peter's. :)
Thank you for sharing your lovely trip. I love all the smiles. And that picture of the fountain with the lens flare is pretty cool.
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