Interior Dome of Pantheon

Rome – The Pantheon

The Pantheon from the Greek word Pantheion, (“pan” meaning “all” and “theion” meaning “of or sacred to a god”, thus meaning “[temple] of every god”)…
Tomb of St. Catherine of Siena

Rome – Santa Maria sopra Minerva

The church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva is just behind the Pantheon.  Its most distinguishing feature from the outside is a statue of an elephant…
Detail from Triumphal Arch

Rome – Basilica San Paolo fuori le Mura

Here we are at the 4th and last of the major basilicas in Rome, Basilica San Paolo fuori le Mura, or The Basilica of St. Paul…
Detail of Asp Mosaics

Rome – Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of Saint Mary Major) is the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome and it is because of its size…
Asp Detail

Rome – Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

After our general audience with Pope Francis, we were just getting started.  We had a very full afternoon and evening ahead.  Next stop, Basilica di…
Pope Francis is Coming Back This Way

Vatican City – Audience with Pope Francis

We woke up early Wednesday morning (about 5:30) so we could get to St. Peter’s Piazza for the General Audience with Pope Francis.  After a…
Saint Peter's at Night

Rome – Evening Scenes

The evenings came early in Rome in November, long before time for dinner.  On our first evening in Rome, I stepped out of the hotel,…
Icon in High Alter of Santa Maria in Traspontina

Rome – Santa Maria in Traspontina

We were able to celebrate mass at Santa Maria in Traspontina, just a block away from our hotel, and only about 4 blocks from Vatican…
Alabaster Dove Window

Rome – St. Peter’s Basilica Interior

During Nero’s great Christian persecution in 64 A.D., Saint Peter was martyred, crucified, and buried in Caligula’s Circus.  After Constantine’s Edict of Milan (313 A.D.)…

Rome – Vatican Museums – Ceilings

The Vatican museums contain an amazing collection of some of the most beautiful art in the world.  However, the museums themselves are also outstanding works of…