Wednesday morning we skipped what is suppose to be an amazing breakfast at the flat we are staying to catch the bus to St Peter’s. I had researched online that most Wednesdays the Pope has a service, not mass, but speaks with the crowd in St Peters Square. After many failed attempted to get tickets (non working fax numbers, closed offices, etc), I wanted to be sure to get there early enough to try and get tickets at the door. Of course when we arrived they are not requiring tickets, even though everywhere it stated it was a ticketed event. After much decision as to where to sit, HE arrived! Little did we know that he would first cruise around the crowd in The Pope Mobile. Thanks to a wonderful young man, mom was able to get about two to three people away from him. I told her had she been a little more aggressive leaning over people, he might have shook her hand. Regardless, we got a heck of a lot closer then I ever imagined! The excitement on her face was worth the missed breakfast, the many failed attempts and worry if getting tickets and the hour and half wait on him to arrive. 

St. Peter’s Basilica

Mom & I waiting on Papa Frank

Mom & Papa Frank on the screen behind her

However, we did not know that while the Pope is speaking St Peters is closed and doesn’t open for at least an hour after he is done. So again we stood in line, luckily it was beautiful out and I was able to get a little Vitamin D 🙂 We were one of the first in line, so once inside we booked it to buy tickets to climb the dome. We opted for the lift / stair option, and thank goodness we did as mom didn’t adhere my advice of getting her heart / legs / lungs ready before she came over here! But, she made it all in one piece and what an amazing view of St Peters Square and Roma being at the top offered. We were first able to walk along the inside of the top and then climb to the top and view Roma and Vatican City, which many might not know is its one country, and the smallest in the world! From the top it was beyond amazing how large the statues that sit atop St Peters actually are! Crazy!

St. Peter’s Square from the dome

St. Peter’s Basilica Dome

Giant statues above St. Peter’s – they don’t look quite this big from down below

After a short stop on top to gather some souvenirs, it was back down to visit inside. By the time we got back down it was jam packed, but we still were able to get some great views of the highlights inside, the alter, La Pietra and such.

Inside St. Peter’s

La Pietra

We grabbed a quick lunch on the go as we were in a mission to get to The Colloseo before a walking tour we had planned later. We stopped by a sandwhich shop that I had wanted to try the last time we were in Roma, but it was crowded do we passed and I am so bummed that we did as this was right up Nick’s alley. Mom and I both enjoyed turkey sanwhiches with mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes, which I devoured as we walked to the metro. 

Mmmmmm

After a quick metro ride we arrived across town to The Colloseo, we weren’t sure that we would make it here so I didn’t book in advance, which was a mistake. The line was long, but luckily it moved fairly quickly! We enjoyed our walk around the interior and then also got to walk around the outside, on a side I had never been. It was amazing!

Colloseo

We then headed to Piazza di Spagna to meet up with the walking tour. We arrived a little early so we were able to enjoy the largest, mist expensive cones of gelato in The Spanish Steps.

Mom enjoying gelato on The Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps

Then it was off for our walking your where we hit to see some pretty good sights of Roma that I had never seen before and I learned a lot of fun little facts! Our tour guide was awesome a very entertaining! We ended our tour with The Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, from there mom  and I headed to Peroni for dinner. 

Our guide on our awesome walking tour of Roma

Fresco

The Pantheon

Queen Margharita’s Tomb

Thursday morning we took our time getting up and around, we enjoyed breakfast at the flat and then before catching our train to Firenze visited two separate churches, the first Santa Croce where relics from the passion are housed, specifically a nail and two thorns from Jesus’ crown. Then we headed to THE church of Roma, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, this is the main church if Roma, even though many think that it is St Peters. It was stunning inside and is said to house relics from The Last Supper, specifically the table!

I’d say without having any concrete plans and no tickets for the Pope’s speech, it was a pretty successful trip to Roma!