From Venezia, I proceeded to Vatican City (Stato della Città del Vaticano) to attend the Easter Triduum (Sacrum Triduum Paschale) traditionally officiated by the Most Holy Father, Pope Francis.
On regular days when there are no special and major events at the Vatican that draws huge crowds, vehicular traffic is allowed around the perimeter of Piazza San Pietro. St Peter’s Square is in front of St Peter's Basilica.
During the Holy Week, people, pilgrims, and tourists must walk some distance to St. Peter's Basilica.
St. Peter’s Baldachin is the 29-meter high bronze canopy situated directly under the dome in the Basilica. It took Gian Lorenzo Bernini 11 years to complete work on the Baldachin (started in 1623 and it was completed later in 1634).
The Baldachin stands over the papal altar which is directly above St Peter’s tomb.
Only the Pope may serve at the altar.
The Liturgical celebrations of Holy Thursday and Good Friday were held inside the Basilica.
St Peter's Square can host up to 80 000 people. However, there are big Masses such as important canonizations or the Urbi et Orbi blessing that attract huge numbers of attendees and St Peter's Square is not big enough!
The Easter Sunday Mass was celebrated in St Peter's Square where a much larger number can be accommodated than the Church.
The altar was set up at the front of the Basilica, and under a canopy of deep red velvet as a Tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.
Note the Pontifical Swiss Guards stationed around the foot of the steps of the Basilica leading to the altar.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard is a minor armed forces and honour guards unit maintained by the Holy See that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace, serving as the de facto military of Vatican City.
Cardinals in their scarlet vesture processing to their places at the start of the Easter Sunday celebration.
According to Wikipedia, it is because of the scarlet color of cardinals' vesture that the bird of the same name has become known as such.
After the final blessing given by the Pope at end the Easter Mass, The Holy Father boarded the popemobile which is a specially designed motor vehicle used by the Pope of the Catholic Church during public appearances. You can tell that I came so close to the Holy Father!!!
The popemobile is considered as the successor to the antiquated sedia gestatoria (or gestatorial chair- a ceremonial throne on which Popes were carried on shoulders until 1978) and was designed to allow the Pope to be more visible when greeting large crowds.
I lucked-out because the popemobile passed right where I was standing and got very close to the Holy Father.
This last photo was taken and shared with me by one of the guys in the crowd opposite me. And I was very grateful that he did!
I post an article daily, and I hope to see you again soon!
@silversaver888@silversaver888 is a proud member of #silvergoldstackers and the #ladiesofsgs4eva
@thekittygirl for including the Silver Saver Bar in this banner you create.!
@derangedvisionsI used Pinmapple to pin this post to the world map using a code generated at Pinmapple to mark the place where I traveled and took these photos.
It is so cool! You should try it!
[//]:# (!pinmapple 41.902387 lat 12.453992 long d3scr)