St. Peter’s Basilica

While I might have been under whelmed when I entered into the Sistine Chapel, I was the complete opposite when I entered St. Peter’s, it was everything I had expected it to be and more. It was beautiful and amazing and holy. As we walked in the narthex, we tried to just take it all in.

The current building was commissioned in the middle of the 15th century, when the old basilica was falling into ruin and pope Nicolas V ordered the restoration and enlargement of the church after plans by Bernardo Rossellino. After Nicolas V died, works were halted. In 1506 pope Julius II laid the first stone of a new basilica which was to become the largest in the world. Julius II appointed Donato Bramante as the chief architect of the new Basilica. In 1547 Michelangelo succeeded Bramante. He designed the imposing dome and altered some of the original plans. Michelangelo died in 1624, two years before the St. Peter's basilica was dedicated by pope Urban VIII.

The Basilica of St. Peter is the most prominent building inside the Vatican City. Its dome is a dominant feature of the skyline of Rome. It covers an area of 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres) and has a capacity of over 60,000 people. The largest church in the world, it has a 218 meter long nave. The basilica's dome is the world's largest measuring 42m in diameter and reaching 138 meter high (more than 450ft). The interior, which includes 45 altars, is decorated by famous artists. Some of the most important works in the church are the Pietà by Michelangelo, the papal altar by Bernini, the Throne of St. Peter - also by Bernini - and the Monument to the Stuarts by Canova.

We stopped in the narthex to take some pictures of the nave. The picture does not begin to do it justice.

Me standing in the nave. Shannon in the nave – (the sweater is a long story) Here we are together. We started walking up towards the high alter and on the way we came across St. Joseph’s alter. This is where mass is held on a daily basis, which I had missed, and during non mass times it serves as a place to pray. Shannon knew I was disappointed about missing mass and asked if I wanted to spend some time in prayer and she would go look around. I was very appreciative that she did not mind and I went in and found a pew. I know it does not matter where you are when you petition God in prayer, but I find in places such as this it feels more special. I am not sure if it is just knowing that millions of people had been there before me, praying to the same God or Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (NIV) But I found it to be a moving experience. After some time I left St. Joseph’s alter and found Shannon.

This is inside of one of the peripheral domes.

The Basilica is centered around the Papal Altar where only the Pope celebrates Mass. It was consecrated by Clement VIII, June 5, 1594, on top of several other older altars. Rising above the altar is the baldacchino (95ft. canopy), Bernini's masterpiece and first work in St. Peter's. The ancient tomb of St. Peter lies directly below the altar.

This is the Papal Altar

This is an ancient bronze statue of St. Peter. Behind the statue is a mosaic that looks like a fine brocade draping. At the top of the mosaic is a portrait of Pope Pius IX. This is the interior of the main dome. This is the The Tribune - Altar of the Chair of St. Peter

This grandiose sculpture monument was created to enclose the wooden throne of St Peter. The four gigantic statues of Doctors of the Church are: St. Ambrose, St. Anthanasius (left); and St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine (right). The fine alabaster window shows the Holy Spirit as a dove.

Here is a statue of St. Francis of Paola. Here I am in front of the Papal Altar Here is Shannon The ceiling of the Nave. This is the monument to Pius VIII. The Pope is show kneeling, accompanied by a statue of Christ enthroned, with statues of Sts. Peter and Paul. The allegories are Prudence and Justice.
The top of the Papal Altar and part of the ceiling above it. This is one of the carvings in the base of the Papal Altar This is the Altar of the Scared Heart This is the Altar of St. Leo the Great After we spent time admiring the beautiful basilica we left St. Peter’s and Vatican City.