A new adventure in Italy

I am in Italy.   My first stop, and partially independent one, was Rome.    I arrived on time after getting some sleep on the plane (I had an unexpected Business Class upgrade).   So, I took a very brief rest and took off to see some sites.  My first stop was the Basilica of Maria Maggiore which was right down the street from my B&B.  This was an amazing church, very ornate, largest church in Rome dedicated to Mary.    Then I got on the Metro and did the evening walk , the Dolce Vita stroll, down the Via Del Courso to the Spanish Steps and through an upscale shopping area.   The Spanish Steps and the whole area were very crowded.  It was a nice evening and I rode the Metro back again and had a nice dinner at a sidewalk cafe near my B&B.   I got a good nite's sleep and was ready for my visit to the Vatican City to see the  Pope's Wednesday address.

I left early(I thought) to get to Vatican City to pick up my tickets to see the Pope.   Well, it was not early enough.  After two security checks, I got my tickets and returned to St. Peter's square, and all the seats were gone,   I guess they give out more tickets than they have seats.   Anyway, I stood in the square, watching the crowd, and waited for the Pope to appear in the pope mobile.  He came out and went around the square.  That was pretty cool.   Then there was a rather lengthy ceremony in Italian, with lots of cheering.    And then the Pope left.   

Next I went to the Vatican museum.   It is so opulent and amazing, but also so crowded and hot, that it is hard to say it was enjoyable.  There are way too many people there and you basically are pushed through the museum.   I was definitely pushed through the Sistine Chapel!   The spiral staircase leading out of the Vatican museum was something!    

Then I went back and stood inline for an hour and a half to get into St. Peter's.   The church is huge and very dark and ornate.   Lots of beautiful marble and statues are everywhere.   The most impressive thing to me was Michaelangelo's Pieta.   I did get to see that well and took a few good pictures.