< previous
next >
Day 3: April 19, 2025
A Day to Remember in the Heart of Rome
Today has been an incredible, full day of experiences steeped in history and beauty. We started very early in Vatican City, where we embarked on a truly unforgettable tour. To make the most of it, we split our group into five smaller ones, each led by a local guide.
We began with the Vatican Museums, home to centuries of art, culture, and spirituality. Wandering through its galleries was like walking through the pages of history. From there, we entered the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, standing in silence beneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece—the ceiling that changed the world of art forever.
The tour concluded in St. Peter’s Square, the monumental space designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century. Since this is a Jubilee Year, the square was especially crowded, but despite the busy atmosphere, we managed to get everyone through security and into St. Peter’s Basilica. The sheer scale and grandeur of this sacred place left us breathless—what a powerful and humbling experience.
After a well-deserved lunch break, we continued our journey into the heart of the city, visiting the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments of Ancient Rome, with its majestic dome and oculus open to the sky. Then we strolled along the Tiber River, taking in the views and stopping at the iconic Castel Sant’Angelo, originally built as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum and later transformed into a papal fortress.
We wrapped up the evening with an early dinner before heading back to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Saturday Mass. Despite the crowds, we found a great spot and stayed until 10 p.m., immersed in the beauty of the ceremony under the stars.
Grateful and happy, we all made it back safely. What a gift this day has been—thank God for such a unique and soul-stirring experience