This week: The Vatican Edited by: Nosferette  
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| "Migrants and refugees are the missionaries of hope." ~ Pope Leo XIV |
The Vatican
Entering the Saint Peter Basilica at the heart of Vatican City gives new meaning to the phrase "bigger on the inside." Because walking up to the Basilica is hectic and busy, there isn't much time to realize how tall and wide it really is.
To get onto Saint Peter Square, one has to go through an X-Ray scanner just like at the airport. Angry police officers bark in accented English to follow rules that aren't announced anywhere.
The crowd is pushed through a meandering line like in an amusement park toward the huge doors into the Basilica. It's hard to be impressed with the location when influencers are busy taking selfies.
Entering into the immense doors means passing past the real gate keepers. Not the Swiss Guard. Burly men in tan suits. They size everyone up and anyone who shows too much skin is forced into a blue coat with strict orders to keep covered at all times. Right in front of me is a tourist who does not understand the order. The tan suit follows until the visitor is suitably (ha!) covered up. The Vatican dress code doesn't ask for much. No midriffs, no shoulders, no thighs. Fashion trends of old and new are colliding in real time.
Finally entering into the Basilica, standing in a room that is six? seven? eight stories high, walls covered in paintings, murals, the ceiling frescoed with Biblical imagery ... it is breathtaking.
The Saint Peter Basilica, like many churches, is the final resting place for people who were meaningful leaders in the religion hundreds of years ago. There are relics, side chapels, underground areas that are inaccessible but visible, and of course there is a gift shop. Because OF COURSE there is a gift shop. They call it book shop. It's a gift shop.
Visitors to the Basilica come from all around the world. The hum of languages, different types of ethnic and modern clothes are present. There is a mass happening at the same time as cute Korean girls take peace sign selfies in front of the statues of the Saints.
On the way out, children can take pictures with the Swiss Guard. Young men in colorful costumes, holding a spear. They smile and wave while the Vatican secret service glowers nearby in tan suits.
On the way out is a sculpture of a ship, overloaded with tired looking passengers. Refugees and migrants, hoping for a life less miserable than the one they are trying to leave behind. It's one of the few places in Vatican City where it's possible to take a photo without anyone else in it.
Catholicism, like all old religions, is inspirational. It's colorful and festive on a random Thursday afternoon. The many Saints and Angels feed the human desire for stories. Whether historical account or fiction, it doesn't matter. It's all covered in gold, long flowing robes, and crafted to perfection by the best artisans from all around the world.
There is no way to come out of there without a bunch of new stories to write.
Have you visited any of the main holy sites of any religion? |
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Replies to my last Spiritual newsletter "Moon Worship"
SpookyBee  wrote: What an interesting NL about the Moon and it's different names, and it's influences. I'm reading an interesting book called "A Hypopist's Journey to Avalon" where the moon has a positive influence on the women who practice magic in Avalon. I think the moon was always meant as a guide to assist us with keeping time and that our natural months should be 28 days. |
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Spiritual: September 10, 2025 Issue [#13338]
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