I can't believe we visited the Vatican on the same day that Zelensky visited the Pope. At first we were told that we might not be able to visit St. Peter's Basilica, but we did.
The Vatican Museums are overwhelming. I really liked the outside Belvedere area with lots of sculptures.
We were able to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis' rooms in the Vatican Guest House. He apparently wanted to live in a simpler place than in the official papal digs.
There was room after room in the museums including the Sistine Chapel where I couldn't take photos. There were two room full of animal sculptures. Loved this.
The mosaic floors were stunning throughout.
Really liked this fertility sculpture. It was so different from what we have seen so far.
We went through a couple of long rooms with tapestries on both sides. It's amazing the great shape they are in. Here is part of one.
The ceilings were marvelous everywhere. Here's an example of one.
This is probably my favorite art piece in the museums. Raphael was commissioned to paint frescos on four rooms in the papal palace at the same time Michelangelo was working on the Sistine Chapel. This Raphael "School of Athens" shows philosophers and scientists including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, and many more. Quite amazing to see this in a papal apartment.
After our museum tour we spent time in St. Peter's.
It was cool seeing Michelangelo's Pieta.
Also the tomb of the popular Pope John Paul II is on the main floor of the church and not underneath with the others.
Let's hope Zelensky's visit today was fruitful.
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