The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and The Vatican
Due to some important event going on inside the Pantheon on the day of our visit, we couldn't get in and take a close look. It was truly hard to even get close to the main entrance with the large crowds and numerous group tours around. Luckily for us, we still had a few more days to explore Rome so we decided to just give it a miss then and return another day. From there, we proceeded to the Piazza Navona, and then the Vatican to see the Pope give his Sunday address in St. Peter's Square.
The Pantheon, one of the oldest buildings in Rome
Marc in front of the Pantheon
Me in front of the Pantheon which I mistakenly called the Parthenon in the beginning. Gee, it dawned on me that the building I referred to as the Parthenon was located in Greece, not Rome.
I loved Piazza Navona. There was a fair going on and thus rides and booths were everywhere. There were thousands of people there too, and I mean, thousands upon thousands. The place was very crowded.
One of the three monument/fountains in Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona
At Piazza Navona
The Obelisk at Piazza Navona
Another view of the obelisk at Piazza Navona
As usual, we passed by CAstel Sant Angelo on the way to the Vatican.
Castel Sant Angelo, it was but inevitable to see this round building going to and from the Vatican. It was even more majestic at night when it was lit.
In front of Castel Sant Angelo
This was our second visit to the Vatican in two days. We returned to see the Pope and listen to him give his weekly Sunday address to the public in St. Peter's Square.
A partial view of the Vatican City building where Pope Francis and all other popes before him gave the weekly Sunday address to the huge crowds gathered at the Vatican.
The pope about to come out and adddress the public gathered at the Vatican
The Pope, Pope Francis of Argentina
At the Vatican
At the Vatican, crowds everywhere
Another view of the huge crowd gathered at the Vatican
At first I thought it was going to be hard to see the Pope this Sunday morning with the crowds gathered at the square. There were many people from all over the world, some even carrying and proudly waving their nation's flag. Everyone faced only one direction and that was towards the window from where the new Argentine Pope gave his weekly Sunday address. During his speech about the importance of the family as a unit of society, the crowd applauded every few minutes. When he finished his speech, the crowd immediately dispersed and left the Vatican.
How I wish I purchased a rosary here too. At the time of our visit, I already had purchased several from the Philippines, one each from the Czech and Slovak Republics last 2012, then another one from Riga, Latvia last 2013. I saw a street vendor selling three for 10 euros. After a close look at his wares, I wasn't so impressed thinking they all looked very similar to the ones I bought in the past two years. Now I think it would have been great to have added another one from the Vatican to my collection. Oh well, next time.