 Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica — Vatican Media © 2025 POPE LEO XIV(Formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.) He is the 267th successor of St. Peter, the Apostle. Elected Pontifex on 8 May 2025, Vatican City, Rome. The Americas Pope: North and South; both Peru and the United States. Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the Order of St. Augustine (OSA), but the seventh from religious orders that follow the Rule of St. Augustine of Hippo. Vatican News biography article linked here. Because World Youth Day in Lisbon has now started, postings about Rome need to be wrapped up. Therefore, each of these other places in Rome only have a single photo, and the barest of descriptions. The post after this one will be a brief look at the social side of being a pilgrim in Rome – and then the World Youth Day posts will start. But first, a reflection on my time at the Catacombs of St Callistus: It was almost like St Patrick’s, Church Hill, in the city of Sydney, but cooler (as in colder) and underground. An oasis away from the mad throng (physical and/or spiritual) of Rome, and a place of shelter, calm, and cool away from the heat. It was a spiritual palate cleanser from the Colosseum and Forum, and the rest of the city at large. A moment to breathe, be, and know that we aren’t alone in our trials in this current age. Many have gone before us; and are calling us on with them to the heavenly home land. Vatican Museums  One of the galleries inside the Vatican Museums ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 One of the very long corridors covered in artwork that we saw during our tour of the Vatican Museums. Sancta Sanctorum  Exterior of the Sancta Sanctorum ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 This used to be the personal chapel of the pope when he lived at St John Lateran. It contains some much-venerated icons. The Colosseum  View of the crowd behind us on one of the terraces inside the Colosseum ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 Great numbers of people viewing the inside of the Colosseum. The Roman Forum  Scenic view of the Roman Forum. The Colosseum can be seen at the back on the right of this photo ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 To get to this view, you have to do a lot of walking with almost no shade. Basilica of St Cosmas and St Damian  Altar Mosaic inside the Basilica of St Comas and St Damian ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 Of 6th century Christian origin; but it went through a major restoration in the 17th century of just about everything except this beautiful mosaic apse. Parish church of St Paula the Roman Matron (Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Paola Romana)  Interior of Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Paola Romana ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 Where some pilgrims found Mass on 31 July thanks to seminarian Matthew’s help. It was walking distance from our hotel. St Paula, a widow, lived at the same time as St Jerome, and was of great assistance to him not only in Rome, but also in Bethlehem. Trevi Fountain  The Trevi Fountain in daylight ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 The song, Three Coins in the Fountain (1955) from the movie of the same name, refers to throwing coins into this particular fountain in Rome. Each of the three coins represent a different wish, one of which is to return to Rome. Church of the Gesu  Church of the Gesu, interior. Side Altar with a statue of St Ignatius of Loyola ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 This is headquarters for the Jesuit order, and I was blessed to be there for Mass on 31 July, the feast day of St Ignatius Loyola – and founder of the Jesuit order. The Pantheon  A brief snap outside the Pantheon ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 What used to be a pagan temple to many gods in the 2nd century, and since the 7th century has been a Christian church dedicated to St Mary and the Martyrs. Vincent Cavanagh #bbwyd 31 Jul 2023, 2.42pm Italy | 31 Jul 2023, 10.42pm Sydney  Exterior of St Peter's Basilica just after having left the Vatican Museums ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 The first thing we did today was to tour the Vatican Museums. They are best seen before the crowds build up. Part of that tour was through the Sistine Chapel. That Chapel is where you can see Michelangelo’s famous Last Judgements; it is also where the cardinals gather to elect a new pope. The next thing was to visit St Peter’s Basilica. In here St Peter, chief of the Apostles, has his tomb. As do many other popes from throughout history. Here we are, waiting in line to go through security, before we can enter St Peter’s. If you can find a person looking towards the camera, the one with a white hat, that’s Lachlan, one of the members in our small group.  Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 This Holy Door is kept closed. It is only opened during a Holy Year. When it is open during a Holy Year, you go through it on your knees, seeking pardon for your sins. That’s why it is also known as the Door of Mercy. The next Holy Year is 2025, from Christmas Eve 2024 to Epiphany 2026, with a theme of “Pilgrims of Hope”. On the panels of the Holy Door are scenes from the Gospel, including the Annunciation, the Baptism of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and His resurrection. Statue of St John Eudes inside St Peter's Basilica  St Peter's Basilica interior, looking towards the statue of St John Eudes ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 Looking up along the nave of St Peter’s, the statue of this saint caught my eye. My birthday falls on the day the Church celebrates his optional memorial. An optional memorial means that any priest saying Mass that day can choose either to remember him, or not. St John Eudes had a particular devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary – that’s why he is depicted with an open cloak showing those Two Hearts, one surmounted with a cross, burning, and circled by thorns, and the other also burning but pieced by a sword. This saint wrote the specific Mass texts and Liturgy of the Hours texts for the feast days of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart; he also founded a religious order of women to give refuge to those seeking to escape a life of prostitution.  Our guide through both the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 Our tour guide was a deacon from Holland, that’s why you can see a partial clerical collar. He was alive during the pontificate of Pope St John XXIII. Also in this photo are fellow Broken Bay pilgrims Sean (holding the flag) and Jess. Pope St John XXIII  The body of Pope St John XXIII, St Peter's Basilica ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023 Look carefully and see why he is still known as the smiling Pope. This is the Pope who was elected in 1958, just before his 77th birthday, and who inaugurated the Second Vatican Council. When he died of stomach cancer in 1963, Pope Saint Paul VI completed the Second Vatican Council. Pope St John XXIII was canonised in 2014. Vincent Cavanagh #bbwyd 29 Jul 2023, 1.41pm Italy | 29 Jul 2023, 9.41pm Sydney |
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