St. Peter's Basilica

     This morning we returned to St. Peter's Square for the third time and got to explore the grand basilica.  We spent a few minutes out on the square and took a closer look at the structure of the square itself.  The impressive sized basilica is centered in the middle with a tall obelisk directly in front of it.  Rows of columns on either side of the basilica direct out forward, and then curve in a rounded figure.  A large opening welcomes in visitors to the square.  These columns are representative as two arms opened up encouraging pilgrims and other people to enter into the home of Catholicism.  It is a nice universal way of welcoming all kinds of people into the church without using words or language that would exclude any type of person.

   

Outside of St. Peter's Basilica

     

     It was quite overwhelming when we first stepped foot into the basilica.  The ceiling seemed to go on forever and the walls were covered in gorgeous statues and mosaics of various saints and religious figures.  We focused our attention on a sculpture of Mary holding the lifeless Jesus done by Michelangelo at only 22 years old.  The image was familiar to me because I had seen it in photographs several times beforehand.  While studying the sculpture you can see clearly that Mary is represented much younger than she would have been when Jesus was crucified.  Her youthful face is that of a young woman around 16 years old.  This is because Michelangelo wanted to depict her as the Virgin Mary and have her in this sculpture as eternally youthful.  Mary is holding Jesus as she would a baby, cradling him.  This further adds to having Mary seen as the young Virgin mother of the Son of God.  Jesus is draped over Mary's lap and appears to be falling onto the altar, which symbolizes his life and work transforming into the gospel for all believers of Christ.  Jesus is also shown with a wound, which was much different from other works of art that show a more gruesome take on Jesus after the crucifixion.  The small wound on his side tells us his death was not just a morbid, dark, and gory occurence but rather a blessing to all who believed in him because of his resurrection.  

Pieta by Michelangelo