Pictures from St. Peter's (The Vatican)

It was a full day of conferences today, but in between sessions and during lunch (pranzo) I took the 10 minute walk to St. Peter's Square to take the attached photos.  After dinner, I also walked to the square to take pictures of the creche and Christmas tree which really is beautiful at night.  The lighting and sparse crowds in the square really reveal a tranquil beauty.  The photos will be in no particular order since I had so many to choose from.  There will also be photos from inside the basilica. 

I took a route to St. Peter's Square which passes the Jesuit Curia (central offices) on Borgo Santo Spirito which is a stone's throw to the square.  Obviously, I have to include a photo of the entrance to the Jesuit Curia before I get to the rest.  

Jesuit Curia

View of St. Peter's Basilica from the front door of the Jesuit Curia.

Where the Pope lives.

Swiss Guards at their post.

Side altar with tomb of John Paul II

Statue of St. Ignatius Loyola in nave of basilica.

Altar and tomb of Pope John XXIII

Altar and tomb of Pope St. Gregory the Great

Creche inside the basilica.

Baptismal Font of the basilica.

Holy Year Door

Group of Italian pilgrims singing on the steps of the basilica.

And now it is the end of the night for me, and, for Rome, the end of the Christmas season on February 2nd, the Feast of Candlemas.  So for the last time this season, Merry Christmas!  Ciao!