The Sanctuary of Art and Religion - Vatican City.

As a huge fan of the Vatican and 'Angels & Demons,' I rushed straight to St. Peter's Square right after dropping off my luggage. The square was filled with chairs, and the LED screen displayed the Pope's public audience schedule. The Swiss Guards, who protect the Pope, stood at the entrance with their long spears. The line to enter the basilica formed a large semicircle around the square, including five winding S-shaped sections. Tour guides from various countries intermittently shared the history of the Vatican with their groups. After an hour of waiting, stepping into St. Peter's Basilica can only be described as 'woooooooow.' Seeing this sanctuary of religious art in person almost brought me to tears. Masters from the Renaissance to the Baroque period contributed to the construction of the church. Bernini's 140 biblical statues surround the square and the basilica, while Michelangelo envisioned the dome as a connection between the church and heaven, allowing heavenly light to flood the church through numerous windows. The tour guide repeatedly mentioned that, due to fire concerns, there are no paintings in the church. All the murals are mosaics, painstakingly assembled piece by piece by artisans over 120 years, involving tens of thousands of workers. Beyond its artistic value, its religious significance is even more profound. Legend has it that Peter's tomb lies directly beneath the church, which is why Michelangelo inscribed the verse 'You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church' at the base of the dome. Many Popes also wished to be buried in the basement rather than in the basilica to be closer to Peter. However, it was also because the Catholic Church needed substantial funds to rebuild St. Peter's Basilica that they began selling indulgences, indirectly sparking public criticism of the church and becoming one of the catalysts for the Reformation in 1517. It is the sanctuary of Catholicism and the starting point of Christianity. The Vatican Museums next to the church were the only pre-arranged and pre-booked visit during my two-month trip. After passing through the crowded Egyptian Museum, the somewhat incomprehensible statues, and the exquisite Gallery of Maps, I finally reached the Raphael Rooms. The most famous room is the Stanza della Segnatura, and seeing 'The School of Athens' in person was very moving. But what surprised me even more was that the three frescoes in the room (The School of Athens, The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament, and The Parnassus) each represent philosophy, theology, and poetry, embodying truth, goodness, and beauty. How could anyone conceive of using such complex yet harmonious scenes to illustrate the core ideas of the Renaissance in the Pope's office? The Sistine Chapel was smaller than I imagined, with the most famous works being the ceiling frescoes 'The Creation of Adam' and the altar fresco 'The Last Judgment.' Personally, I preferred the biblical frescoes surrounding the chapel. On the north side, Perugino's Old Testament scenes depict the life of Moses and the Exodus of the Israelites, while on the south side, Botticelli's New Testament scenes portray events from the Baptism of Christ, the Last Supper, to the Passion of Jesus. The entire chapel is like a condensed Bible, from beginning to end, with tourists caught in the middle: 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.' After the main exhibits, there is a less conspicuous gallery of cultural artifacts from various countries near the exit, showcasing gifts given to the Pope by different governments. Wandering through it, I found it fascinating how countries from the United States and China to small island nations have developed different cultural beliefs in response to their unique geographical environments and have tried to record their existence in various media using their own languages. The world is vast, yet it feels so small. The museum's collection is extensive, but the quality of the visit is poor, with tour groups from various countries crowding every corner. I envy those who can join tour groups; I also want to hear passionate explanations in Chinese! Finally, I must commend all the staff at the Vatican. They were professional and courteous in their interactions, especially the guide in the Sistine Chapel, who managed the flow of visitors with enthusiasm despite the chaos of tourists ignoring instructions and taking photos. Thank you for the hospitality.