Rome’s San Giovanni in Laterano and the Vatican …

SaDSC_0952n Giovanni in Laterano is recognized as the Basilica of St. John Lateran and is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, of which the Pope is bishop. The Catholic Church has named it "The Mother of All Churches". Among the many striking features is the border along the top of the walls in one wing of this Basilica which has paintings of the different popes, since the beginning of the church.

DSC_0923We also visited the Vatican – the smallest indDSC_0979ependent landlocked sovereign city state within the city of Rome. It has a population of approximately 800 residents. Vatican city is an ecclesiastical state, ruled by the Bishop of Rome — the Pope. Since the late 1920s, Popes have resided in the area that became Vatican City since the return from Avignon in the late 1300s. SaintDSC_0998 Peter’s Square with its rows of columns lining the sides of Saint Peter’s Basilica are almost as impressive as the inside.

Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world and it is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic sites. The Basilica is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, the first DSC_0996Bishop of Rome and first in line of the papal succession. There are tours of the tombs underground and it is believed there is historical evidence that Saint Peter’s tomb is below the altar of the basilica. vatican_biblio_1

DSC_0197Hadrian's Villa is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist destination. The villa was constructed as a retreat for the Roman Emperor Hadrian during the second century A.D. Hadrian governed the Roman empire from the villa and a large court livDSC_0304ed here permanently. After Hadrian, the villa was used by his various successors and during the decline of the Roman Empire, the villa fell into disuse and was partially ruined.

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