A Rare Tour

Five hours on our feet was a small price to pay as we ventured Saturday through a rare private tour of the Vatican Gardens, Apostolic Palace, and Sistine Chapel. The Redemptoris Mater Chapel was a new experience for many of us. The chapel was completed in 1999 and for Pope John Paul II, it was [is] an ecumenical symbol for the various Eastern and Western churches to unite themselves to the papacy.  S. Bridget Waldorf, SSND

Friars waiting for group members to catch up -
descending the Royal Stairs following the tour.

Posing for a photo in the Sistine Chapel

Our Lady of Guadalupe sculpture
in the Vatican Gardens

Redemptoris Mater Chapel - all the images are mosaic

Redemptoris Mater Chapel - Noah's Ark

The sign in the "Crying Room" - a small room off the Sistine Chapel
where the newly selected Pope moves to have
a moment of quiet before greeting the crowds in St. Peter's.
In general, the sign reports that Gregory XIV experienced
tears of emotion in this space
after being named Pope in 1590.
Thus it became known as the "weeping" room.

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel 

Helicopter launch pad atop the Vatican Gardens