Vatican City!

Today Judy and I woke up, got ready, and grabbed our frozen water bottles anticipating the heat as we made our way to Vatican City.  We immediately hopped in the ticket line for the Vatican Museum, which (only) took us 2.5 hours to get through.  

With tickets in hand, we explored some of the artwork, but mainly focused on making our way to the Sistine Chapel.  I didn’t even try for a contraband photo because I was so in awe!!!!  Michaelangelo definitely did it justice.  

After finishing up our time in the Vatican Museums’ gift shop, we headed to St. Peter’s Square/Basilica.  Judy and I sat down by some pillars for a few minutes to give our feet a break, and then began the pictures!  It is so unreal to think that only a few months ago I was watching Pope Francis’ presentation to the world, and now I’m standing in the very square where it happened!  It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet.  

Judy and I hopped into the security line (which was mercifully quicker than the Vatican Museum line), and started to explore the Basilica.  We found the listing for Mass times, and it matched the one I found online.  Judy and I decided to sit out on the steps for a couple hours until Mass relaxing, taking in the beauty, and of course doing a little people-watching!  We made friends with a security guard who asked about where we were from and such.  A little bit later he came by and said he could show us a better place to sit- we followed him towards the entrance of the Dome climb, and sat on some nice benches near a fountain.  After a while, we decided to wander into the Basilica to see if we could sit down for Mass yet.  Though we ran into some translation difficulties with some of the ushers, we eventually figured out you just had to ask to go past the barriers for Mass.  Unfortunately the first pew on the right side was already taken (thanks for the habit, Daddy), but we commandeered the second one.  I said a rosary with my new beads from the Vatican Museum, and waited for Mass to begin.  I was a bit lost since parts of the Mass were in Italian, and the other parts were in Latin, but it was such a wonderful experience that the language didn’t even make a difference!  Judy and I both went up for a blessing during Communion since I can’t eat the bread.  After Mass it felt like I was floating on cloud nine- Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica definitely tops Mass in the Sagrada Familia!  I’m so blessed to have been able to attend Masses in such world-renowned churches.  Our bellies starving, Judy and I were on a mission to find the gluten free pizzeria she found online.  After a little bit of a false start, we found it, and we were the first customers of the evening!  

Our waiter was cute and said the chef’s special was lasagna, so that’s what we both ordered (mine, gluten free of course).  Our appetizer was fresh sliced ham and mozzarella with bread pizza (butter goodness with a hint of rosemary).  We chowed down and anxiously anticipated our main course.  BEST LASAGNA OF MY LIFE (sorry, Mom).  Even though I was stuffed from my huge piece, Judy and I both ordered tiramisu, another of the chef’s specialties.  Also, fabulously delicious!  

Feeling overly stuffed Judy and I slowly made our way back to the apartment.  Tomorrow we pack up and check into our hotel for our last night in Rome!  How crazy is that?!