The Christian Sites of Rome 🇮🇹🇻🇦

In this video we will give our First Impressions of Rome Italy and Vatican City. In this Italy travel vlog we explore Rome and then the Holy See for the first time.

As Christians, there are areas in and around Rome that we may have a higher appreciation for than the average tourist. Those are the sites we are focusing on today. Most people know about the Holy See, but did you know about the actual official seat of the Pope? Because it's not inside Vatican City. Have you heard about the Latin translation that caused Michelangelo to sculpt Moses with horns? In our last video we explored some of the most famous and busy sites of Rome. Today we investigate some of the sites in and around Rome with the highest Christian significance.

This is WITY TRAVELS. And we thank God for our time in Rome Italy.

Travel is such a blessing. We can't help but thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this life He has given us.

Our first stop, was at Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. This is the 2nd largest, and oldest church building in Rome. It is also the official seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. Entry is free. It was built by Emperor Constantine. It was he, who, with the Edict of Milan, allowed freedom of religion in the Roman Empire, in 313.

There is a box hanging high above the alter that apparently holds parts of the skulls of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

This church contains 6 papal tombs. The statues and carvings are majestic.

Walking in front on these gigantic doors would make any human look extra small. These doors once were in Ancient Rome's senate house.

Across the street is the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs. These stairs are an important stop on Rome's pilgrimage trail. Many believe that these stairs are from the Palace of Pontious Pilot. Helena, Emperor Constantine's mother, brought these stairs to Rome. It is believed that Jesus climbed these stairs on the day he was condemned, so pilgrims climb these stairs on their knees, in honor of Him.

The Vatican City, or Holy See is the smallest country in the world, but inside of it, Saint Peter's Basilica is anything but miniature.

On the 18th of April in 1506, Pope Julius II laid the first stone on the new Saint Peter's Basilica. The Pope descended into the pit of the foundation down a ladder, dressed in Pontifical robes.

This colossal altar was built by famous Italian artist Bernini. His work is all throughout the region, but this piece remains one of his most famous. This altar was built over the tomb of Saint Peter.

My favorite piece inside Saint Peter's Basilica is Michaelangelo's Pieta. It is the only artwork bearing the artist's name. This sculpture is so famous that it was loaned to the world's fair in New York City in 1964. Then the statue was enclosed in bullet proof glass and had an electric walkway to keep viewers moving along. Even inside of Saint Peter's Basilica you can't get too close to this work of art.

Also: Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Also: Jewish Quarter

Our favorite part of these experiences were the details that most others may not fly all the way to Rome for. For us the best thing was how the artists of the time brought the Bible to life. For the first time, thanks to the statues by the holy stairs, we could visualize Pontious Pilot presenting Jesus to the crowd of angry people. We could picture Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss. We loved learning the reason why Michaelangelo sculpted Moses with horns. Even though photos and videos were not allowed, the paintings of the Creation story on the ceilings of the Sisteen Chapel will forever be in our memories. We really appreciated the ability to visit the sites of Christian significance. And we're not done in Rome yet. Thank you so much for watching this video. This is WITY TRAVELS. What could possibly be next?

In case you are new here, we are Will and Katy and we are a married couple that hopes to show you what it is like to travel around the world in 2024!

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