Four friends and I woke up at the crack of dawn to head north of Trastevere to Vatican City. We left at 6:30am for the 10:15am mass. What can I say, we wanted to have good seats. Note that the gates to the piazza did not even open until 8:30am. So we sacrificed sleep, breakfast, and SUPRISINGLY enough warmth. Yes…the forecast as I have said lied the entire past week about the chance of rain and partly cloudy skies. Well, not today. I found myself waiting in the “coldness”, curled up like a pretzel trying to stay warm. You know what I mean…like legs triple crossed. I dunno, you do what you have to when trying to stay warm. Luckily I had opted out of wearing a new “easter” dress I bought, and wore black tights+black skirt+pink top (typical Italian, I know…lame!). Although, thank goodness for the DRESS CODE at the Vatican or I would of found myself covered in chill bumps from head to toe. How crazy is it to say that I spent my 22nd Easter at St. Peter’s. 

But as you see, the waiting paid off. We were in the 3rd row…with a sea of people behind us! 

The basilica+dome and their relation to the piazza space is proportionally amazing. It is huge, but relates to human scale in a way that it is does not seem to over power you. What a perfect view!

The flowers here, the bascilica, Michelangelo’s dome, Bernini’s colonnade, and the whole crowd provide a perfect setting to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! 

This picture does not do the flowers justice either…they were beautiful!! I especially loved the yellow+white tulips. 

You see…an unobstructed view! 

Pope Benedict XVI processing to the front of the crowd