Look really carefully and you might be able to see Pope JP in one of the windows. Maybe.
The photo was taken at around half eight in the morning, and hence there weren't many people around. The square is huge and a beautiful place. And it has nice fountains to drink out of, very handy in the Rome heat, noticeable even at that ridiculously early time. I did have my hat that day, I must have left it with whoever took the photo (which fairly obviously was not me!).
The Vatican is a pretty strange place really. Here are 10 Vatican Facts:
1. It has a bar where you can drink actual beer.
2. It is the world's smallest sovereign state, and is 37% smaller than Wales.
3. Mussolini gave full sovereignty to Pope Pius XI in 1929, and later survived that Pope by six years.
4. It never rains in Vatican City. Initially this was due to a deal made in 1890 between Pope Leo XIII and "Him Upstairs". A huge dome was later built over the state, just to be on the safe side. It fully retracts in good weather.
5. Vatican City reputedly has the best postal service in the world.
6. Unlike Switzerland and Canada, The Vatican has joined the Euro.
7. Both the Vatican Museum and St Peter's Basilica have airport style metal detectors at entry. However, the museum one is set to a higher level and will detect my belt buckle. My buckle is not thought to be a problem in the Basilica.
9. Unlike Switzerland and Canada, The Vatican has no Mountains.
10. The Pope may let you kiss his ring, but you have to find him first. Like a game of kiss-chase, but holier.
So an interesting place and well worth a visit, if only to witness the men paid to go "shhhhhhh" in the Sistine Chapel.
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