Today strated at 6.00am and by 8.00am we were having mass at Saint Joseph's Chapel inside Saint Peter's Basilica, celebrated by Father Mike. WOW! We then met our very ITALIAN guide who took us through the amazing and never-ending Vatican museum. We attempted to take in 2000 years of art work by the masters in 2000 seconds. The tour ended in the Sistine Chapel, googling at Michael Angelo's creations. After another lunch of Italian indulgence we headed off in groups to exlpore the tombs of the Popes, the Castle of Angels, the Tiber River, and coffee. Nothing we had seen so far could prepare us for what was coming next. Swiss guards directed us in, split us up into 3 groups (no larger than 12), and told us to stand because sitting was disrespectful. We were taken down below St Peter's Basilica to explore Rome before Constantine's time. The bottom layer revealed an ancient Necropolis which included the tomb of St Peter himself. As we moved up, the layer above revealed the remains of the first Basilica built by Emperor Constantine, which now serves as the foundations for St Peter's Basilica above. It was amazing to see that the altar of St Peter's Basilica today is directly above St Peter's tomb, 2000 years below.
By Chris, Emily, Mads and Mer.
Hey guys! Wow that sounds incredible! We are all thinking of you back home. xx Carly.
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