Happy mid-week everyone! Today, I’d like to share a bit about my first impressions when we visited the Vatican—specifically the famous St. Peter’s Square, with its obelisk, columns, Via della Conciliazione, and St. Peter’s Basilica looming in the background. I believe it is one of the most famous and televised places in the world; and although several of my companions had visited it before, for my wife, my best friend, and me, it was a brand-new experience. I thought that on that day we would be taken right into the heart of the Basilica, but no, on the day we first encountered the Vatican, we actually had to walk all the way from Castel Sant'Angelo.
As you can see in these photographs, the place was packed with people—as it seems to be all the time, whether there is a liturgical service taking place or not. This visit actually took place on a Wednesday, which led me to imagine there would be few people around; but no—it was 2025, a Jubilee Year, so there were more visitors than usual. Furthermore, due to special significance for people from my home country, Rome and Vatican City were absolutely swarming with Venezuelans! I remember that what struck me most was seeing so many gradations of white, light gray, and pearl tones blending with the blue of the sky; and as my walk progressed, beautiful clouds began to appear, looking like scratches etched across the azure heavens. It was a truly special experience, and I stopped many times simply to admire the contrasts.
In a previous post, I also mentioned that another thing I enjoyed most—specifically in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican—was strolling amidst the wealth of artwork, particularly the white marble sculptures. These have always been my favorites, and whenever I remind myself that they were carved by human hands, I remain utterly awestruck, for they are all so perfect. Indeed, the pieces found at the Vatican feature truly impressive details, and we must not forget that many of history's greatest and most renowned artists collaborated to bring this place to life. In this square alone, I lost count of how many works of art one can admire; for beyond the statues of saints lining the sides of the plaza, the very façade of the basilica conceals a wealth of artistic treasures. One must literally stand before it to discover everything it has to offer the beholder.
I passed through St. Peter's Square two more times after that day, but the experience of that first visit is the only one that stayed with me so vividly. First impressions truly make for the best time to explore; in fact, I was so excited that day that I completely forgot to go over to the obelisk and the two fountains situated in the vast courtyard. There were crowds of people, spotty phone reception, and an immense space where it would be easy to get lost; yet, deep down, anything I might have missed in the Vatican was either due to sheer excitement or because I was so absorbed in focusing on a single detail. Without a doubt, it is a place where one could walk around all day long and still be left wanting more—and I have made a personal promise to myself to return. I obviously enjoyed Rome immensely, and I realized that there is still so much left to discover 🙏