The Pope says hi!

It is interesting being here as they set Saint Peters square up for the blessing of the Pope tomorrow. I have seen this scene many times on TV, in pictures from life magazine, and in the movies. Like pictures of the Grand Canyon, nothing substitutes seeing it in person.

The Vatican museum is extensive. Like the Louvre in France, it is impossible to mentally take in all that you see, let alone that which is available to see. Fortunately we had an excellent guide in Claudia who besides providing facts, context, order, and selectivity of what we saw, also was great at navigating through the mass of humanity that is also exploring the Vatican. 

I was mistaken thinking that the Vatican Museum would be focused on Christianity artifacts. It has an amazing collection of Roman, Greek, Egyptian, as well as Christian artifacts. 

While I have no pictures from the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo used this ancient Greek sculpture as inspiration in the classic frame of God giving life to Adam.

 This is a tapestry.. And just one of a whole long hallway full. These are huge. 30x20. 

The building is also a work of art.

Going inside to see Saint Peters. I had no idea what to expect.

Michelangelo's Pieta. I saw this originally in 1968 with my parents. I had no idea why we were forced to go see some stupid statue. I was amazed then and it began my appreciation of the arts. Today I was overwhelmed again. The beauty and emotion that he captured in stone is breath taking.

A few words about the Sistine Chapel. It was nothing as I had expected. Fortunately, Claudia had provided a preliminary walk through of what we were going to see using panels in the Vatican courtyard. The way Michelangelo approached and how he changed his style after doing three panels. How he created his own way of doing frescos. How the ceiling represents different points through the old testament. The panel where God's hand is reaching out to give Adam life and the two hands extend through the clouds, fingers outstretched to touch, is amazing and is only about 1/3 of the way through the panels. To see it in context where it is but a small piece of such a large work, and to consider it took only three years to paint he entire ceiling, you have to be in awe of such talent. Do not forget the Michelangelo did not consider himself to be painter either. This painting nonsense for the pope kept him from his true calling as a sculpture. 

And then this same incredible talent, that was a Stone Cutter, a Painter, an Architect....... Also designed the outfits for the Popes Guards. As they say,.... Stick to your day job.