After exploring the sights of Rome, we took a taxi to the Vatican City. On regular days, the Vatican Museum closes its doors for admission at 4pm but because of all the visitors due to the Canonization the next day, they let people in until 430pm.
We got with a tour company for 40 euro each so we can skip the lines and have a guide the whole time inside. This helped out a lot as there was a lot to see inside the city and it can get overwhelming if you don’t know where to go.
Our guide Andrea gave us an overview of the artworks and buildings we were going to see and visit. Of course, the highlight of the tour was the Sistine Chapel. Pictures were not allowed inside but it was truly a sight to behold. We reveled at Michelangelo’s masterpieces.
The next day, we woke up early to go back to witness the Canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. It was the first time in Roman Catholic hhistory that two popes were getting Canonized the same day. We took a bus to get closer to the Vatican but as expected, they blocked all the roads for public transportation. After walking for about 30 minutes, we finally arrived.
St Peter’s Square was obviously full so we waited just outside of the square and listened to the mass. Afterwards, we slowly inched our way to get closer to where all the action was. There were millions of people gathered and it was a sight to behold. People from all over the world were there with their flags to witness this once in a lifetime event.
We just wanted to get close to the stage and see what was going on but then something amazing happened. Pope Francis got in his Pope mobile and were heading our way! This was easily the highlight of the trip!
Afterwards, we took the bus back to the Roma Termini. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget!
Here are the rest of the pictures..
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