St. Peter’s Basilica – Michelangelo’s Pieta’ & Pope John Paul II

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It’s a bold claim, but we’ll make it: No churches, and very few buildings, in the world are as awe-inspiring and moving as St. Peter’s Basilica.

And we think that goes for everyone. If you’re Catholic, you’re bound to be struck by the church’s importance as the burial site of St. Peter (the first pope!), as a treasure trove of relics (including a piece of the True Cross), and as the spot where the Pope gives mass. Protestant? It was partly the construction of this extraordinarily enormous—and expensive—basilica that disgusted Luther so much, he launched the Reformation. For architecture enthusiasts, this pinnacle of the Renaissance is one of the world’s most influential buildings; art lovers, you’ll be floored by Michelangelo’s incredible Pietà, the Bernini sculptures, and the gorgeous mosaics. And even if you’re none of these, the sheer size and elaborate beauty of the space itself won’t fail to take your breath away.

In fact, there’s so much in the Basilica that, without a guide, it’s easy to simply get overwhelmed, overloaded—and not see all of the gems that the church has to offer. Let one of our experts guide you through this space. Get all your questions answered, from “Okay, just how big is this church?” to “What the heck is a baldachin?”

You’ll get your first taste of the basilica at St. Peter’s Square. This is the view you’ve seen in news photos, as when the new pope has just been elected. Although the piazza dates to the 17th century, you’re standing on the ancient site where, in the first century,  Emperor Nero hosted cruel games including chariot races and Christian executions—the ancient Egyptian obelisk standing in the square bore witness to the execution of St. Peter himself!

St. Peter’s Basilica, built from 1506-1626, replaced something even older: The first St. Peter’s Basilica! The church was incredibly important: It had been built by Rome’s first Christian emperor, Constantine, in the 4th century, and held countless relics and pieces of art. But 1,200 years later, Pope Julius II, the same larger-than-life character who brought Michelangelo and Raphael to Rome, gave the order to tear it down… and build a new basilica!

The result, of course, is a masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. But it’s also extremely controversial, even today. Walking through the massive space, learn the extraordinary tale behind what it took to get it completed. You’ll also discover the secrets behind the many other gems of the Basilica, from the debate on if St. Peter’s tomb actually contains the bones of St. Peter to how Bernini found the bronze to build his world famous baldachin. Is Raphael’s painting of the  Transfiguration really a painting? And why does the body of the Blessed Pope John XXIII look so well-preserved? We won't forget to tell you about the fascinating life and papacy of Blessed Pope John Paul II, now beatified, whose tomb rests in the magnificent chapel of St. Sebastian inside St. Peter's Basilica.

But the real crème-de-la-creme of the church’s offerings must be Michelangelo’s Pietà, the incredibly moving and lifelike sculpture of Mary holding the lifeless body of  Christ in her lap. Since you’re here early in the day, experience this heart-wrenching sculpture in relative peace. And don’t worry: We won’t tell anyone if it brings you to tears. It’s happened before.