Return to Saint Peter's Basilica photos

To enter the largest church in Christendom (if not in the world), one must leave Rome-in fact, one must leave Italy-because it is in the territory of the Vatican City. Under the Lateran treaties of 1929 the Italian government under Mussolini recognized the sovereignty of the Pope in international relations and his jurisdiction over the Vatican City, which comprises St. Peter's Church, St. Peter's Square, the Vatican, and the Vatican gardens, and is home to about 400 people. Its "defense" is provided by the famous 100 Swiss Guards, who are actually Swiss citizens. The City has its own currency, postal service, stamps, newspapers, radio station, and railway station.

The church is approached by the famous square (375 x 265 yards) which is walled by 284 columns and 88 pillars, surmounted by balustrades with 140 colossal statues of saints. From the balcony of the church overlooking the square, the Pope gives his blessing to the crowds of up to 100,000 as well as to the entire world by radio and television.

The original church was built by Constantine the Great over the tomb of the Apostle Peter in 326. It was here on Christmas Day in 800 that Charlemagne received the Roman imperial crown from Pope Leo III; many other emperors were subsequently crowned here. Over time, the church deteriorated, and was replaced by the present building in the 1500s under the impetus of Pope Julius II and the artistic genius of Bramante, Raphael, Peruzzi, Michelangelo (the dome), and Bernini (the altar), among others.

The size of the church is beyond comprehension, despite the numbers, e.g., 204 yards long, with space for a congregation of 60,000. The hugeness of the interior is offset by its artistic proportions: tiny-looking cherubs are actually 6 feet tall, as are the mosaic letters of the frieze that runs around the entire interior. Of course, the church is the burial place of many popes and other church dignitaries, but it is dominated by the crypt and statue of St. Peter; the foot of the status is worn smooth from millions of touches and kisses over the years. On the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul (July) the statue is dressed in magnificent robes and topped by a jeweled crown.

The church is also a major museum, of course. Next to the church is the Vatican Palace (home of the Pope), with the nearby Vatican Museums, including the famous Sistine Chapel. There are few pictures here of the church and none of the Chapel, due partly to the immense throngs in both places.