Although we already visited Vatican City, we had saved St. Peter’s Basilica for later. Like with the Vatican Museums, we wanted to get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Sorry for all the history, but it is fascinating to me. America is such a baby country compared to Rome, and it is so interesting to see the ebbs and flows over centuries.
In 1st century AD Christianity spread to Rome. At the time, the Emperors had no laws about it or against it. The local authorities did however persecute Christians and continued to do so through the years. In 250 Imperial laws against Christianity started to be passed, and many Christians were punished and killed. Never the less, Christianity continued to grow. In 313 a policy of tolerance was officially made, with Constantine becoming the first Christian Emperor in 324. Christianity was made the official religion in 380, with many of the Pagan temples being turned into churches. Emperor Constantine began building the Old St. Peter’s Basilica in 326. The Roman Empire continued to decline, and Rome lost its importance in the Middle Ages. The population dropping to below 20,000 people. During the Renaissance, the Catholic Church wanted to make Rome prominent again. They begin employing artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Boticelli and revitalizing the city. The Popes began constructing grand monuments, beautiful public squares, grandiose churches, and a new St. Peter’s Basilica. The Old Basilica had fallen into disrepair in the 15th century, and rather than renovate the Old Basilica, Pope Julius II decided to level it and begin anew. The are Basilica was finished 1626.
The kids in front of the massive bronze Filarete doors. They were from the Old Basilica. 
As you walk in the Basilica, Michelangelo’s Pietà is in the first chapel on your right. We couldn’t go into the chapel, and with the glass wall and lighting it was hard to see and photograph.
As you walk into the nave (central hallway), you can immediately see the enormity of the building. The Papal alter is straight ahead and to the side are various chapels and alters. When we visited some areas were open, some were closed, and some had mass going on.
Katherine getting some of that holy water.
Touching St. Peter’s toe for blessings.
Some of the chapels.
The Alter of the Chair of Saint Peter by Bernini.
Air vents for the crypts below the Basilica.
The tomb of the Apostle Peter. The Basilica was built on the burial site of Peter, the first Bishop of Rome.
I really can’t stress how magnificent and massive this Basilica is. To put it into perspective, the square footage inside the Basilica is 163,000 sq ft. The floor area of the White House is only 55,000 sq ft.
AK still going strong, and KRK is done.
Andrew liked looking at the intricate tile work on the floors, and as always, I was mesmerized by the ceilings. 
Looking out into the Square from the Basilica.
The kids enjoyed the colorful Pope’s Swiss guard uniforms.
In the afternoon, we took one last walk around Rome. We truly had a great (and exhausting) time here.
The realities of the Trevi Fountain. The kids got really good at maneuvering their way through all the people.
One last Italian margarita pizza for the kids, and one last cacio e pepe for me at Taverna del Seminario.
One last stroll through Piazza Navona.
Also, I haven’t mentioned the police presence in Rome. It is everywhere, and they don’t play. 
And one last lemon gelato for K, and cannoli for me. (Don’t worry, Andrew got his version of treats too- bread, all the time.)
Grazie Rome. Arrivederci.
xoxo-sk
ps. We loved our Airbnb. It was right beside St. Peter’s (and an amazing bakery), so we walked through the Square often.
xoxo-sk 