Visting the Vatican

Had a wonderful visit to the Apostolic Signatura today.

Like all the Vatican buildings, it is very beautiful and so much better maintained than the Italian ones. Just the general air of well-kept calm and order are a contrast to the atmosphere of chaos and decay that seems to characterize life in Rome and Italy generally. When you go extra territoriale, you know instantly you are in another country. In Vatican buildings, you will never find the cracking plaster coming off the walls in patches, no graffiti, no little piles of garbage in the corners; the lifts all work smoothly; the steps are always swept and clean; the potted plants are all healthy and the staff are always nice and helpful.

Upon entering the building, which Archbishop Burke told me was built in the 1400s, one goes through the big fifteen foot high doors and turn right into a little office where you tell a chap in a uniform your reason for being there. I noted that he wore a matching pair of pins on his lapels with the keys of Peter.


In Vatican buildings, it is always worth looking at the ceilings.


This is just a little parlour, with 15th and 16th century portraits, where one can have a quiet chat.


The main hall from which all the libraries, conference rooms, parlours and offices branch. (Sorry about the fuzzy).


The ceiling of the entrance hall. (It's less fuzzy in real life).


Archbishop Burke: a very kindly and good and holy bishop.


The halls all decorated with Ancient Stuff.




Ancient Stuff, with Pekinese. The little dog belonged, I suppose, to the chap at the door.