Day 22
Our Last Day of Pilgrimage in Rome

Our final day in the Eternal City provided us the opportunity for the unique privilege of a visit to the Sistine Chapel and a tour of part of the Papal Palace.  Our guide for the tour was Sister Melanie, a Felician Franciscan Sister, who works for the Secretary of State of the Holy See.
A last gaze at St. Peter's Basilica
Arrivederci, San Pietro!

Hmmm...what are they looking at?
Wa-lah! An astonishing view!
Another view from a Terrazza overlooking the Piazza


Raphael's Loggia depicting Salvation History
From the Loggia of the Maps:
A depiction of the 40 years in the desert for the People of Israel
The Scala Regia, or Royal Stairs.
This magnificent stairway was designed by Bernini.
In past centuries, dignitaries would ascend these stairs
in order to meet the Holy Father.

Loggia depicting the grandeur of Creation.
How many animals can you find in the vines painted on the ceiling?
 There were so many we had to stop counting!

"The Madonna of the Swiss Guards"
Do you see the image of our Lady and the Child Jesus?
Amazingly, this image was found by the Swiss guards in the marble floor outside the Sistine Chapel.


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