Roaming around Rome

Saturday we crossed the Tiber and wandered around the city, taking in the three Major Basilicas. Good stuff.

We also welcomed our fourth compadre, Fr. Shea Bowora from the Diocese of Phoenix.

Our first stop was stop was St. Paul Outside the Walls. Paul was martyred near by and his bones are buried here. 

All three basilicas have Holy Doors to walk through as part of the Jubilee. 

Massively beautiful. 

The upper walls are lined with pictures of all the popes of the past. 

Francis was the last and Leo's bust will be placed here soon. 

Image of St. Paul's Conversion. 

Here's where his bones lie to rest. 

Intense mosaic. 

Next stop was St. John Lateran. These two spots we caught a taxi to. 

Holy Door, check. 

St. John Lateran, is actually the Pope's cathedral, who is the bishop of Rome.

SJL is named after St. John the Baptist and the Lateran is the family name who donated the land. 

Sweet old baptistry near by. 

Lunch break mid day. 

Then we walked down town, catching St. Alphonsus Liguori church. 

Here, the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is housed. 

Cool story and devotion.

Last stop was St. Mary Major. 

Lot of activity around, so we got some gelato before heading in. 

Nice treat as we waited in line to get in. Popular place.

Three up, three down. Good stuff. 

Here's where the late Pope Francis lies to rest. 

Another breath taking sanctuary. 

On the walk back to the Vatican, we stopped by the Angelicum University. Shea and I got additional degrees from here through our seminary in the States. 

Mission accomplised. 

Good day. Long day. Definitely worth all the walking. Might as well take in as much as we can while we're here. It's been fun to have Fr. Shea around. He fits right in with our ragtag group. Next up, Mass with the pope. Let's ranch.