We flew to Rome in early October to celebrate the diaconate ordination of Donato, a friend from Boston College. This was Paul and Max’s first visit to the Eternal City, and we were all looking forward to experiencing the history, the art, the architecture, and the cuisine. The weekend was also a small reunion of sorts, as a number of other BC friends made the trip.

Max especially loved Rome, because the Romans especially loved him. From the moment we got on the plane, his cheeks were pinched, strangers picked him up, and he basked in the affection directed his way. The stereotype holds true: Italians really do love children. All week people on the street would light up when they saw him and exclaim, “Ciao, Bello!”. One older woman sitting near us on the plane even insisted that he call her “Nonna”.

St. Peter’s Square

We arrived in time to attend Pope Francis’ weekly Papal Audience. St. Peter’s Square was packed with pilgrims hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pope, so we weren’t able to get as close as we had planned. (Paul had even practiced his Lion King style Simba-lift to get Max close enough for a kiss from the Pope). But even standing in the crowd, it was still a remarkable moment for us, and the Pope’s message for that day was inspiring.

Family portrait in front of St. Peter's Square
Family portrait in front of St. Peter’s Square
Paul and Max after the audience
Paul and Max after the audience

St. Peter’s Basilica

Thursday morning we attended Donato’s diaconate ordination Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. (Seminarians studying to become Roman Catholic priests are first ordained deacons, usually 6 months or so before they are ordained priests.) Since Max isn’t capable of sitting still for three hours, we took turns walking him around, exploring the sweeping grandeur and the spiritual significance of the Basilica.

The Baldacchino di San Pietro, a bronze altar canopy
The Baldacchino di San Pietro, a bronze altar canopy
St. Peter's central dome
St. Peter’s central dome
The famous statue of St. Peter Enthroned
The famous statue of St. Peter Enthroned

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We also were able to pray as a family before the tomb of Saint John Paul II, who is buried under an altar in a side chapel of the Basilica.

Max says a prayer for his friends and family
Max says a prayer for his friends and family

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Food and Friends

After the ordination, we met up with our BC friends and walked around Rome together.

Ponte Sant'Angelo, the famous pedestrian bridge crossing the Tiber
Ponte Sant’Angelo, the famous pedestrian bridge crossing the Tiber
One of the angels lining the bridge
One of the angels lining the bridge

We had a great afternoon, even though at one point we got caught in a downpour.

Squeezing under a narrow ledge to stay out of the rain
Squeezing under a narrow ledge to stay out of the rain

That night we all—including Max—went out to a wine bar, and then we had a delicious meal in Donato’s honor. The next day our Italian feasting continued as we celebrated a belated birthday for Amanda with a three-course lunch.

Pasta alla norcina, a Roman specialty
Pasta alla norcina, a Roman specialty

The Rest of Rome

During the final two days of our trip we tried to see every bit of Rome that we could. Although there will be plenty more to see on future visits, we were able to experience several of Rome’s amazing sites.

Here are some photo highlights:

Vatican Museums

You can’t go to Rome and not see the Sistine Chapel. Paul snapped a few photos of the iconic ceiling before we learned that photography was prohibited. There is more art and history packed into the museum than we could see in one visit, but we made sure to see Raphael’s School of Athens, one of Paul’s favorite paintings.

Our contraband photo of the Sistine Chapel ceiling
Our contraband photo of the Sistine Chapel ceiling
The School of Athens up close
The School of Athens up close

Gelato

Max asked for gelato every day, and we were only too happy to oblige. The most unique flavors we found came from the Gelateria del Teatro, a little place tucked away in a side alley near the Piazza Navona.

Sicilian wine cream and mint cholocolate chip
Sicilian wine cream and mint cholocolate chip

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The boys were all smiles after gelato
The boys were all smiles after gelato

Churches

Max marvels at the Pantheon's dome and oculus
Max marvels at the Pantheon’s dome and oculus
Two-thousand year old columns hold up the Pantheon portico
Two-thousand year old columns hold up the Pantheon portico
Saying a prayer in the Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, a Dominican church built over an ancient pagan temple
Saying a prayer in the Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, a Dominican church built over an ancient pagan temple
The stunning baroque ceiling of the Church of the Gesù, Mother Church of the Jesuits and burial place of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits
The stunning baroque ceiling of the Church of the Gesù, Mother Church of the Jesuits and burial place of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits
The tomb of Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine, housed in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino
The tomb of Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine, housed in the Basilica of Sant’Agostino

Ancient Rome

The Colloseum
The Colloseum
The Palatine apartments, among the oldest ruins in Rome
The Palatine apartments, among the oldest ruins in Rome
The Palatine Hill Stadium, used for (foot-)racing competitions
The Palatine Hill Stadium, used for (foot-)racing competitions

Ciao, Roma!

Our short visit to Rome was filled with memories. Max still talks daily about flying in an airplane to see the Pope. We can’t wait to go back one day.

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More to come soon…