Travel with Me: Vatican City

We were at the Vatican during the time between when Pope John Paul died, and when Cardinal Ratzinger was chosen as the new pope. We did not spend a lot of time there, only touring St. Peter's Basilica. It was cram packed with people. It's truly an ostentatious place. It felt like such a self-important place - which was confirmed to me by the behavior of some of the ordained people I saw while we were there. One fellow in a fancy robe and headdress walked through the crowd moving his hand in front of him so the crowd would part and let him through. There was no compassion on his face, only self importance.

In some ways it was beautiful, but so very overdone. I didn't really see an accurate reflection of Jesus there. But, it was interesting.

We had fun rummaging around in the little shops that circle the vatican.