CMSWR Summer in Rome 2013

As we told you last night, today has been a free day. We have all been doing various things. A small group of us went up to the top of the dome in St. Peter's Basilica. We left at 6:45 this morning to walk to St. Peter's. It is better to get their early so you can beat the crowds, especially to get through security. We were also able to attend a Mass in the Crypt of the Basilica this morning. We did not have anything scheduled with a priest, but if you wait outside of the sacristy you can ask a priest coming out if you can attend his Mass. We found an Italian priest that allowed us to follow him. He was a character to say the least!

We had an inside and outside view of the Basilica from the top of the dome. We were able to look into the Vatican gardens and had a great view of the city. We even saw the monastery where Pope Emeritus Benedict is living.

Here are some pictures below for you to enjoy.

Looking down into St. Peter's

Going up the stairs to the Dome

This the the view from the Outside of the Dome, the very highest point we can go.

The monastery to the left is where Pope Emeritus Benedict lives. On the right is the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto.

Coming down from the Dome

We are on the roof of the Basilica, at the level of the
statues of the Apostles.